138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Sgt. dennis gravelle

by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TAL AFAR, Iraq – With the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the asphalt plant in Tal Afar, Iraq is back in business and operating at full capacity.

Originally erected in 1982, the plant had the capacity to produce 100 tons of asphalt per hour. However, in 2003 the plant stopped producing due to insurgent activities. USACE goal was to completely rehabilitate the asphalt plant and get it producing at the original capacity.

"This project brings the Asphalt plant to full production capabilities and provides a means for the district to transfer and install asphalt product," said Marilyn Kwentus, project engineer, USACE. "The asphalt Plant is a facility that can support the continued growth of this city. In the short term, the plant can provide the resources for local construction projects. In the long term, the plant has potential to develop into a foundational industry for this city. As a result it is essential that this facility be returned to operational status."

According to Kwentus, the required work that was completed on the plant was maintenance of most of the plants equipment, including conveyors tanks, pumps, generators, as well as reconstruction and upgrading of the floors, electricity, and a chain link fence.

The desired effect of this project was to restore the capacity of the asphalt plant for road repairs and upgrades to the Tal Afar district. The municipality now has the internal capacity to resurface roads and upgrade secondary roads.

Typically, asphalt roads in the Tal Afar cost about $65,000 per kilometer to repair. This plant will reduce the cost to the municipality and create long term employment for workers. Improved roads will help facilitate and encourage trade and commerce.

The cost to complete this project cost $418,000, and funds came from the Commanders Emergency Response Program, which authorizes commanders to rapidly respond to urgent humanitarian, relief, and reconstruction needs in their geographic area of responsibility.

"CERP is a sub category under a funding called Iraqi Reconstruction & Relief Effort," said Lisa Lawson, project engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, gulf region north. "This is what Congress authorized to help restore Iraq." Lawson is from Tulsa, Okla.

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