Photo By Mark Schauer | On April 14, crews removed the second M1 240mm howitzer that has stood since 1963 at...... read more read more
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Motorists driving along Highway 95 may notice something is missing. Yuma Proving Ground’s (YPG) iconic Big Guns are gone! The dramatic move provides the space needed for a road improvement project.
On April 7, crews moved the Big Gun formerly on the north side of Imperial Dam Road to the Wahner Brooks Historical Exhibit, which is accessible to the public outside of YPG’s Visitor Control Center.
The following week on April 14, crews moved the second M1 240mm howitzer inside the gates of the Walker Cantonment at YPG.
The Big Guns stood at the corner of Highway 95 and Imperial Dam Road since 1963, though one of the cannons was switched out several years back. They were a signal to drivers that they had arrived at YPG. Almost daily motorists stopped to snap photos with the weapon systems and many community members and former service members have fond memories of them.
The move is necessary to continue improvements to Highway 95. For several years now the stretch of road leading to YPG has undergone lane expansions which have improved its safety. This next phase consists of two roundabouts at the Laguna Dam and Aberdeen Road intersections and widening the Martinez Lake Road intersection. Plans also include reconstructing and widening the existing two-lane roadway into a four-lane divided roadway.
The Arizona Department of Transportation plans to start the project in the fall of 2025 and estimates it will take 14 months to complete. The cannon is expected to return to prominent display once road construction is complete.
Learn more about ADOT’s road improvement project by following the link.
https://azdot.gov/projects/southwest-district-projects/us-95-imperial-dam-road-to-aberdeen-road-widening
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2025 10:35 |
| Story ID: | 496333 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, YPG’s Big Guns temporarily moved for road construction, by Ana Henderson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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