Ocean To Ocean Bridge, Steel bridge across Colorado River in Yuma County, United States.
The Ocean To Ocean Bridge is a steel structure with Pennsylvania truss design crossing the Colorado River using concrete supports. The span extends over the river with a functional design that has carried traffic across the waterway for more than a century.
The bridge opened in 1915 as the first highway crossing of the lower Colorado River, following legislation initiated by Representative Carl Hayden. This project was critical for opening the Yuma region to trade and allowed easier movement of people and goods eastward.
The bridge carries a name symbolizing connection between two oceans, though it spans only a river. This name reflects early residents' hopes of creating a major trade route linking distant markets.
Access the bridge from Penitentiary Avenue, with parking available at the nearby Yuma Crossing Park. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when light conditions are favorable for viewing the structure.
Remarkably, the entire bridge remains in Arizona despite crossing the Colorado River, because the state boundary line runs below the water level. This geographic fact often goes unnoticed by visitors crossing the span.
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