Army tanks, vehicles arrive in Jessup en route to parade in DC

The squadron of Army tanks that will parade down Constitution Avenue next weekend arrived Monday in Maryland.

The tanks and other military-style vehicles were unloaded in Jessup after making the long trip from Texas.

The celebration of the Army’s 250th anniversary is Saturday and it coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Army officials have made some modifications to ease the stress Washington’s roads will be up against.

“We switched out the track paths (on tanks), so these track pads — about 2 to 2 1/2 inches thick of hard rubber — they minimize the impact, they minimize and absorb the impact for the vehicle, the crew, but on the road, as well. The second thing we’re going to be doing, we’re going to be driving at about 3 mph. So, driving at 3 mph slows the impact of the vehicle and that’s also going to help,” said Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, the director of public affairs for the III Armed Corps.

The Army Corps of Engineers also started reinforcing the roads along the parade route, which is concentrated around Constitution Avenue and the National Mall.

Read more: WBAL