Tourists are flocking back to the nation’s engineering marvels — the dams, bridges and other structures that had seen increased security and lightened visitor traffic since September 2001 — despite the fact that they’re still potential terrorist targets. Case in point: more than 363,000 people toured the Grand Coulee Dam’s visitor center last year, and officials expect at least as many in 2004. Visits to the dam dropped 20 percent after September 2001, but have slowly climbed back to pre-attack levels, said spokesman Craig Sprankle. Authorities at other dams and bridges also have cited a rebound in tourism since it dropped off following the Sept. 11 attacks. Tourists are returning to Hoover Dam on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. Paid visits dropped from 1.2 million to about 850,000 after the 2001 terrorist attacks, said spokesman Bob Walsh. This year, more than 960,000 visitors are expected. Full Story
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