Bridge connects northeastern Nangarhar to rest of province

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

02.03.2012

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 1 - Afghanistan

By U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jeff M. Nagan
RC-East PAO

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – After more than three years, workers completed construction of Afghanistan’s second largest bridge, Jan. 31, linking northeastern Nangarhar with the rest of the province.

The more than $6.5 million Lal’pur bridge, spanning 300 meters over the Kabul River, will shorten routes by as much as four hours, said Philip Muller, civil engineer from the Army Corps of Engineers embedded with the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team.

“The Lal’pur crossing will bring easy access to the northern agricultural plains between the Kabul and Kunar Rivers, allowing faster movement of agricultural products to the other side of the river and to the export route to Pakistan,” said Muller, from Las Cruces, N.M. “The bridge will open shorter access routes to markets in Jalalabad for more people who are currently far from that center.”

Prior to the bridge, people had to rely on a hazardous and costly ferry, which was impossible to use during the flood season and claimed lives nearly each year, said Qamar Zaman, an Afghan engineer and Jalalabad native who works for the PRT. The only alternative was to travel more than four hours through three districts before reaching Jalalabad.

“In the past the river served not only as a physical boundary but also a cultural boundary between the progressive urban people of Jalalabad to the rural people living in the outlying areas,” said Muller, who has overseen nearly 75 percent of the construction in the last two years.

In the event of a medical emergency, the bridge also enables people to quickly reach Jalalabad, where they can receive care at the central hospital, said Muller.

By modern construction standards a bridge of this size and scope would not have taken nearly as long, said Muller. However, at the time this project was conceived, the engineering industry in Afghanistan lacked qualified contractors.

Despite the delays in finding someone competent to undertake the task, the bridge was plagued with problems, said Zaman. Between people disputing the land required for the bridge and contending with the (rise and fall of the) river, the project was regularly delayed.

“We went to the site and discussed the bridge with the people and explained that bridge belongs to them,” said Zaman. “The bridge doesn’t belong to Coalition Forces or the Afghan government—this bridge is for the Afghan people.”

The PRT’s local Afghan engineers were able to alleviate the people’s concerns regarding land, but little could be done to battle the river, said Muller. The contractor was unable to work during the summer flood season, halting construction for as long as three months each year.

Although the project suffered several delays, the physical construction of the bridge was impressive, said Muller.

“Instead of using a crane, they used a system of levers and pulleys, a system they have used for hundreds of years,” said Muller. “We had to give them the leeway to construct the bridge using methods they are familiar with. I was in awe. Each girder was 30 tons. They hoisted 50 of them into place with zero accidents and no material loss.”

The PRT also assisted the contractor by teaching advanced methods and bridge construction techniques to overcome some of the difficulties, added Muller.

“I am very thankful for all the teams that have come here,” said Gul Mohmmand, the chief engineer for the contractor. “They always help us. The main thing between the client and the contractor is cooperation and understanding. With it, work can progress but without it work cannot.”

Although common in the US, the contractor had to be taught how to build a caisson, a structure that enables a dry area to work at the river bed, said Muller.

“They constructed a dyke and causeway, reducing and redirecting the flow of water, enabling them to build a caisson to work on the foundation of the bridge at the river bed,” said Muller. “It was our recommendation, and they had to be taught how.”

After the project was complete, the last step was a formal ceremony, which was held at the Afghan National Police station adjacent to the bridge. Nangarhar’s provincial governor, acting director of public works, Lal’pur district sub-governor, and village elders were among the guests who cut the ribbon, opening the bridge for traffic.

“Congratulations to the people of Lal’pur,” said Fazal Rabi, acting director of public works, during the ceremony. “This bridge will be a huge benefit to the people, both economically and culturally.”

Although the bridge will help the people of northeastern Nangarhar, the PRT has also gained valuable knowledge through the process, said Muller. Now that the bridge is complete, the PRT must prepare for the next challenge.

“The experience the PRT gained on this project will be put to good use on future bridge projects,” stated Muller.

• Date Taken: 02.03.2012
• Date Posted: 02.03.2012 21:02
• Story ID: 83323
• Location: NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AF