Due to the mounting problems, the Arizona Highway Department decided in 1920 to re-route the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway between Wellton and Arlington south of the river through Gila Bend. But due to Arlington being on the north side of the Gila River, a new crossing of the Gila would have to be established. An odd solution came in the form of agricultural businessman Frank A. Gillespie and the Gillespie Land and Irrigation Company. In 1921, Gillespie and his company constructed the Gillespie Dam, a concrete irrigation dam, spanning the Gila River. After plans for a bridge across the dam fell through, the Highway Department decided instead to build a temporary concrete apron at the foot of the dam to allow cars to drive through the river until the state could build a dedicated bridge across the GIla. The apron was completed and opened to traffic in 1922. However, when river conditions proved temperamental or treacherous, the apron was either shut down or several cars had to be tied together into a long train before crossing.