EWB Implements Ethiopia Bridge Project

In early January, a team of 11 students, faculty mentor David Lovell, and 2 professional engineers traveled to Addis Alem, Ethiopia to implement a pedestrian bridge design. This project, the second completed in the community by EWB-UMCP, was the culmination of 12 months of student design work and consultation with professionals.

The pedestrian bridge, constructed using reinforced concrete, serves as a sustainable means for humans and livestock to cross a stream that passes the through the community. The bridge serves as a substitute for previously constructed bridges that were consistently damaged by yearly flooding. Students worked alongside community members during the construction process, which involved extensive material procurement, construction of masonry foundations and falsework to support the structure as it cured.

The team was very pleased with the financial and labor contributions from the municipality of Addis Alem, and has begun conversations about the next phase of the program.

Photos from the trip can be accessed here:

http://www.ewb.umd.edu/photos

Published February 7, 2012