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Sebara Dildi - 2nd Portuguese Steel Truss
Pedestrian Footbridge Repair
Project # 021
Project Slide Show
Bridge Sponsor: Bridges to Prosperity donors
Local Community Sponsors: Communities of Agam Woha, Gutram Mariam, and Mariam
Bridge Completion Date: March 2006
Trainees: Kebele leaders and Berhanu of the Mota Wereda.
Bridge Name: Sebara Dildiy ("Broken Bridge" in Amharic)
River Name: The Abai Wenz or Blue Nile
Bridge Span: 70 meters/230 feet
Pedestrian Footbridge Type: Steel Truss
Population Served by Bridge: Over 50,000 in immediate vicinity; 500,000 in larger vicinity
Bridge Story: See also story of Project #001. In July of 2005, the Blue Nile had a catastrophic flood event. During this record high water, a portion of the bridge repair was swept away by the flood waters. However, the considerable masonry repair work done in 2002 was undamaged, and further helped to preserve the integrity of the main historic arch structure.
Shortly after the flood, the local communities got together and placed temporary Eucalyptus poles across the opening. However, the temporary structure of Eucalyptus did not allow for animals, such as donkeys to pass. So, in March of 2006, Preston and Ken Frantz traveled to this site to teach the installation of a cable support structure, that would both increase the bridges capacity, as well as greatly improve safety.
A hybrid design was used, drawing from local bridge building in Nepal, Ecuador, as well as Ethiopia. The training and construction was conducted in three days with the leadership of Mebratu Abebaw. Also, a free medical clinic was operated by Dr. Mengistu, who treated approximately 750 patients in three days.
Finally, the Ethiopian Orthodox church in Gonder and Gojjam was assisted with the delivery of a full truckload of church teaching materials and supplies by Hiwot Menbere. The church in turn assisted us with the delivery of the cable for the bridge repair. Following completion of this repair, this new bridge concept was dubbed: the "Mebratu Dildiy" or the "bridge of light". This bridge type will now be used in pilot programs being set up in both the Mota and Iste Weredas, the major towns on either side of the upper Blue Nile.
Click on the Google Earth™ logo-Project link below to see a satellite view of the bridge site. Get a free copy of Google Earth™ here.
Project # 021 - Sebara Dildiy - 2nd Portuguese Steel TrussPedestrian Footbridge Repair
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