Delays on US 95 near YPG set for Saturday
The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to expect temporary road closures along Highway 95 on Saturday morning and afternoon due to artillery testing being conducted for the U.S. Army.
Public Affairs Specialist Ana Henderson explained that Yuma Proving Ground is once again conducting test firing as part of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program, which support’s the Army’s top modernization priority of increasing long-range precision cannon artillery systems.
YPG personnel will be firing 155mm artillery rounds from the M109 self-propelled Howitzer, as it did in similar testing conducted back in June and December of 2018.
In order to ensure public safety, Henderson said the road will be closed three times in 30-minute intervals between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The closures are scheduled to take place in both directions between mileposts 45 (Imperial Dam Road) and 70. Flaggers will direct motorists through the work zone.
The ERCA program has been testing various components of its system for about four years. The newest component undergoing testing is a five-round limited capacity autoloader. It holds five projectiles and five propellant charges.
The Army is also looking at possibly extending the distance of the 155mm howitzer to upward of 100 kilometers by developing other types of specialized conventional rounds, such as the XM1113 projectile, which is also being developed as part of the ERCA program at YPG.
Drivers are asked to use caution, obey posted speed limits and traffic control devices, and use caution around public safety personnel and equipment.
Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or go to azdot.gov/ contact and select Projects from the dropdown menu.
For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.