"A new bridge will increase value because there would be better circulation, " said Pawan Agrawal, public works director and city engineer for Bullhead City.


"A lack of a bridge depresses our growth."

California businessman Ken Renfroe recently bought property near Reid's that he intends to develop in five years or so. He believes that a new bridge will increase property values.

"I am sure it has already had a positive influence," he said of the proposal.

He paid $240,000 for 37.52 acres, an average of $6,396 an acre, records show.

Some other local real estate owners, however, question whether the bridge would increase land values.

Reid's office referred inquiries about land values to developer Robert Bilbray, a Reid supporter who works in the LaughlinBullhead City area.

Bilbray disputed the notion that Reid could stand to gain from the bridge construction.

Site plans have not been finalized, he said, and some proposed locations could decrease Reid's property value.

"The concept that Sen. Reid's property in Bullhead City, Ariz., will gain in value from another bridge between Bullhead City and Laughlin is ludicrous," he said.

chuck.neubauer@latimes.com

tom.hamburger@latimes.com