Former State Route 280
SR 280 followed Avenue 3E in Yuma from Business Loop I-8 (E 32nd Street) north to U.S. 95 (E 16th Street). The route was added to the state highway system in 1976, and served for a time as a short connector between then completed Interstate 8 and U.S. 80, predecessor to Business Loop I-8.
Measuring just 1.47 miles, SR 280 was the shortest "mainline" state highway in Arizona.
SR 280 was decommissioned in April 2007, and reverted to Yuma County maintenance. As of Spring 2021, signs for the former route remained in place along Business Loop I-8 (E 32nd Street).
North
The first confirming marker for SR 280 (Avenue 3E) in Yuma stood north of the intersection with Business Loop I-8 (E 32nd Street) by Yuma International Airport (YUM).
03/14/07
Avenue 3E previously reduced to a three lane boulevard north ahead of E 30th Street. The entire arterial north to Interstate 8 was eventually expanded to divided, four lane arterial.i
03/14/07
Avenue 3E (former SR 280) advances from Business Loop I-8 (E 32nd Street) 1.47 miles to the north frontage road for I-8.
03/14/07
The western section of 24th Street ties into Avenue 3E just south of the viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad.
03/14/07
Milepost 1 for SR 280 was located along the bridge taking Avenue E3 over the Union Pacific Railroad. This span was eventually widened to four lanes.
03/14/07
Former SR 280 (Avenue 3E) advances a quarter mile north to the exchange with Interstate 8.
03/14/07
The succeeding traffic signal connects Avenue 3E with Gila Ridge Road just ahead of Interstate 8.
03/14/07
Interstate 8 travels east from Yuma to Gila Bend with connections to Casa Grande, Phoenix and Tucson.
05/31/21
0.29 miles of Avenue 3E through the diamond interchange with Interstate 8 remains within state maintenance.
03/14/07
Interstate 8 heads west to El Centro and San Diego, California.
05/31/21
SR 280 concluded north at the Interstate 8 frontage road. Avenue 3E narrows to two lanes as Yuma County takes over maintenance north to U.S. 95.
03/14/07
Avenue 3E crosses agricultural fields east of Yuma and north of the South Gila Valley Main Canal.
03/14/07
Mile marker 2 denoted county maintenance as far north as U.S. 95.
03/14/07
U.S. 95 southbound leads back into to Yuma and northbound to the Yuma Proving Grounds and Quartzsite. Avenue 3E continues into an industrial area.
03/14/07
South
Avenue 3E (old SR 280) passes under the I-8 mainline south ahead of the eastbound entrance ramp to Wellton and Gila Bend.
05/31/21
Avenue 3E continues south from the exchange with Interstate 8 to a truck stop at Gila Ridge Road and industrial businesses to Business Loop I-8 (E 32nd Street).
05/31/21
Photo Credits:
- Kevin Trinkle: 03/14/07
- Andy Field: 05/31/21
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Page Updated Thursday April 28, 2022.