McPhaul Suspension Bridge, Suspension bridge in Yuma County, United States
The McPhaul Suspension Bridge is a steel structure that spans across the flat desert landscape of Yuma County with a narrow deck suspended between tall steel towers. Two main cables support the entire weight and create a striking silhouette against the open terrain.
The bridge was constructed in 1929 as part of early regional infrastructure development. Engineer Ralph Modjeski designed the structure, which served as an important transportation link for several decades.
The bridge is named after its original owner and attracts visitors who appreciate seeing an early steel cable structure up close. Standing alone in the desert, it reveals how engineers of that era solved the challenge of spanning great distances.
The bridge can be viewed from a designated viewing area accessible from Interstate 8. The surrounding area is open and flat, so prepare for heat and lack of shade.
The bridge now crosses only dry desert sand after an upstream dam diverted the water that once flowed below. This transformation earned it the local nickname 'Bridge to Nowhere' among residents and travelers.
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