McPhaul Swinging Bridge near Yuma. Courtesy: Wikipedia

YUMA – The McPhaul Swinging Bridge is located about 18 miles north of Yuma on Highway 95. It was constructed by Yuma County and the state of Arizona in 1929 to allow travelers driving between Yuma and Quartzsite to cross the Gila River.

But a few years after the suspension bridge, with a span of 798 feet, was completed, the road (now Highway 85) was realigned and a new bridge replaced the initial installation. No longer used, the McPhaul Bridge stands silently, leading to nowhere while withstanding time, the elements and a 1990 fire.