Project Log: US-95 Yuma - Quartzsite

In November of last year we began the largest project I've ever been involved with. We surveyed a 40 mile portion of US-95 between Yuma and Quartzsite, running through the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground. Working in the proving grounds was an experience in itself. The Yuma proving Ground is where the U.S. Army tests their missiles, mortars, tanks, humvees, remote control aircraft, and Airborne sky divers. The constant sound of explosions echoing through the valley was plenty entertaining each day.





We began the survey by taking day-long GPS readings on major control points throughout the valley and establishing positional control along the highway. While monitoring one of these sessions sitting atop a small mountain, two F-16 fighters flew overhead and dropped missiles on a target in the valley below me. I've never witnessed such a sight. The plumes of dust rose thousands of feet in the air.




Over the course of the next couple of months, we measured all of the highway survey monuments along the route as well as the section corners for each section the highway ran through. When surveying, you find something unique on each site and for each season. For example, we came across Pincushion Cacti that happened to be fruiting. This is the first time I have found them with fruit, and we ate every one we could find!




Now that we have gathered all of our measurements, I am analyzing the data to determine exactly where the property lines of the road are. This process takes meticulous attention to slight variations in the geometry as well as considering the ownership of the adjacent land. Over the course of the next few weeks I will meet with the Arizona Department of Transportation Right of Way Group to discuss our findings and make the final decisions as to how we will represent those findings on our Results Of Survey maps.


Google Earth Lat/Long: 33° 6'28.01"N, 114°17'10.55"W