Near Yuma in Yuma County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
World War II Bridge Test Site
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010
1. World War II Bridge Test Site Marker
Inscription.
World War II Bridge Test Site. . In January 1943 the Yuma Test Branch of the Engineer Board of the Corps of Engineers commenced test operations on fixed and floating bridges at Imperial Dam. Tests were conducted in both sluiceways as well as above and below the dam. Transportation equipment for bridges was tested in the desert as well as in the dunes west of Yuma. Troop units were ordered into the area to provide manpower for conducting the tests and to train in river crossing operations. The 87th, 88th, 553rd, and 555th Engr. Bns. (Heavy Ponton), the 527th Engr. Co. (Light Ponton), the 993rd Engr. Co. (Steel Treadway) and Co. E 33rd, Engr. Bn. (Armored) provided troops to assist in tests at various times. Under conditions of extreme urgency these units provided great assistance to the Engineer Board in tests that resulted in improved capacities for the light and heavy ponton bridges and the development of the steel treadway and M4 bridges, which were used successfully in the European and Pacific Theaters. The site continued to be used after the war and permanent structures were erected in what is now the headquarters area of the Yuma Proving Ground. The test branch was closed in 1949 and reopened in 1951 as the Yuma Proving Ground.
In January 1943 the Yuma Test Branch of the Engineer Board of the Corps of Engineers commenced test operations on fixed and floating bridges at Imperial Dam. Tests were conducted in both sluiceways as well as above and below the dam. Transportation equipment for bridges was tested in the desert as well as in the dunes west of Yuma. Troop units were ordered into the area to provide manpower for conducting the tests and to train in river crossing operations. The 87th, 88th, 553rd, and 555th Engr. Bns. (Heavy Ponton), the 527th Engr. Co. (Light Ponton), the 993rd Engr. Co. (Steel Treadway) and Co. E 33rd, Engr. Bn. (Armored) provided troops to assist in tests at various times. Under conditions of extreme urgency these units provided great assistance to the Engineer Board in tests that resulted in improved capacities for the light and heavy ponton bridges and the development of the steel treadway and M4 bridges, which were used successfully in the European and Pacific Theaters. The site continued to be used after the war and permanent structures were erected in what is now the headquarters area of the Yuma Proving Ground. The test branch was closed in 1949 and reopened in 1951 as the Yuma Proving Ground.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1943.
Location.
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32° 52.553′ N, 114° 27.799′ W. Marker is near Yuma, Arizona, in Yuma County. Marker is on Laguna Dam Road, 0.1 miles east of California / Arizona border, on the left when traveling east. Marker is west of Interstate 95. At the California/Arizona Border Laguna Dam Road changes name to Imperial Dam Road (County Hwy S24). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yuma AZ 85365, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The nearby Italians at the Yuma Test Branch marker is seen on the left. This marker is located on the right. The Italian made paint-shed is seen in the background.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010
3. World War II Bridge Test Site and Italians at the Yuma Test Branch Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,638 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
