Local leaders, U.S. Soldiers fix impassable roads

Photo By Alayne Conway | BAGHDAD -- The children from North 60th Street in the Al Rashid district gather around Sgt. Matthew See, a civil-military operations Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment Sept. 13. See is showing the children pictures of what the street used to look like before the paving project.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.18.2005

Courtesy Story

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4th Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDAD -- Just two months ago, the children living in the Al-Doura district could not pedal their bikes without riding along dirt pathways and dodging large ruts to avoid collisions. Cars chose to avoid this route because of water and sewage in the street earning it the nickname, "The Green-Mile."

These images are now just a memory after Task Force Baghdad Soldiers teamed up with local leaders from the Al-Rashid district council to fix the road. They hosted a media event and showcased the one-mile stretch of paved road in the Al Doura neighborhood Sept. 13.

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment began the project in July as part of an ongoing reconstruction campaign in the 4th Brigade Combat Team's area of operations. A contractor paved the previously dirt road, installed a gutter system and added a sidewalk.

The project is well over halfway complete and should be completed by the end of September, said Sgt. Mathew See, a civil military operations sergeant assigned to 1st Bn., 184th Inf. and a native of Roseville, Calif. "Besides the drainage, we are also focusing on creating a thoroughfare to connect the two main roads. We hope this will stimulate the local economy."

The completion of one mile of road included more than 1,200 cubic meters of asphalt and 2,630 meters of curb.

The Al-Doura project is a prime example of developing infrastructure that works for the people and encourages their ideas for future developments.

Paving the road was suggested by a member of one of the neighborhood councils, said Abbas Al-Taaei, the Al-Rashid District Council chairman. "One of the NC members who lives in this neighborhood brought the issue to the NC chairman who then took the suggestion to the DC."

Jobs created for this project helped lower the unemployment in the area and the residents were thankful for the serviceability of the road that was previously impassable, said Al-Taaei.

"The people of the neighborhood are very happy for the road repairs and thank the Coalition Forces for establishing the project. I hope that cooperation will continue for future projects in the area" Al-Taaei added.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2005
• Date Posted: 09.18.2005 20:42
• Story ID: 3047
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ