Ethiopia Team Returns from Bridge Assessment

Sean Connor and Kathleen Hendrick

In January 2011, the EWB-USA UM Ethiopia project team traveled back to Addis Alem to assess the feasibility of a sustainable stream-crossing project. Each year, Addis Alem has a period of heavy rainfall between the months of June and August that contributes the flooding of their local stream. Currently, the bridges and culverts in place do not survive annual flooding. On the trip, the team was able to identify a project site to build a permanent crossing that would accommodate both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The site serves as a passageway to link the urban population with the rural population that lies on either side of the stream. Furthermore, it will provide greater access to the local market where a majority of economic activity occurs within the town. The assessment team performed a full site survey, including a detailed topographical survey, in preparation for design work. The project team anticipates that they will return to implement their design in January 2012.

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February 16, 2011