Subscribe
By Maj. Kimberly Garbett
Task Force Warrior
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – More than 100 Afghans and Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team members attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new $180,000 Bakshi Khiel Bridge in Rokha District, Panjshir province, Jan. 26.
On June 27, 2007, a flash flood ravaged parts of Rokha District, destroying the previous structure and killing 20 people when their bus washed off the Molakhel road, said Panjshir Gov. Haji Bahlol Bahej, as he recounted the history and significance of the new Bakshii Khiel Bridge.
"The people of Rokha are happy to have this new bridge complete, ensuring safe travel for cars, buses and even big trucks through Rokha and the Panjshir Valley," said Aqtilla Mohmadi, a village resident and local business owner. "We hope it will also help with our businesses here, since more [people] can come through here safely, even during the spring and summer flood season."
U.S. Air Force 1st. Lt. Dustin Koslowsky, Panjshir PRT engineer, believes the new bridge means good things for the villagers of Rokha.
"The bridge was designed to provide a safe and reliable crossing in a potentially hazardous area," Koslowsky said.
Koslowsky is part of the PRT's engineering team who helped finalize work on the bridge with the local contractors to ensure the new bridges stability.
This new bridge not only benefits the village of Rokha, it benefits the entire province, said Gov. Haji Bahlol.
"Road construction, specifically the Bakshi Khiel Bridge, is critical to Panjshir's – and Afghanistan's – social and economic development," said Army Col. Scott A. Spellmon, Task Force Warrior commander. "This bridge is a critical piece, helping ensure the road being built through the Panjshir Valley continues – and is safe and accessible – all the way through the province," he said.
The completion of the bridge, Spellmon emphasized is a true testament to what is possible with good leadership and vision.
"We will not allow the Taliban, anti-Afghan or anti-coalition forces into Panjshir; the people will not tolerate them in their homes – their valley, or on their new roads," Bahlol said. "The PRT worked hard to get this project worked from start to finish; we all thank them for all of their hard work. This will be a better roadway for the cars and a better walkway for the safety of all the people traveling through Panjshir."
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2009 15:17 |
| Story ID: | 29557 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 216 |
| Downloads: | 189 |
This work, New bridge opens in Panjshir Valley, by Maj. Kimberly Garbett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT