Photo By Capt. Kevin Sandell | The assembled bridge is pulled to connect the two gaping pieces of the Now Ruzi Bridge...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Two bridge spans in eastern Zharay district that were destroyed from the Russian invasion nearly three decades ago with a wide gap between them, were finally joined together Oct. 11, by a metal walkway built by welders from Combined Task Force Spartan’s 710th Brigade Support Battalion.
During a rainy day on the border between the villages of Now Ruzi and Bagh-E-Pol, Afghan and coalition security forces first secured the site, then moved two large metal bridge pieces on a flatbed truck and assembled them on site. Welders had to fuse the pieces together and then pull the foot bridge across the gap using a crane.
The absence of a usable bridge connecting the two villages forced residents and children trying to walk to school to often cross the treacherous riverbed below. The Arghandab River flows underneath the bridge, and its rising waters were perilous for anyone attempting to cross.
Once the operation was complete, the local villagers who had gathered to watch the construction process, immediately began using the walkway and thanked the Afghan and coalition forces soldiers as they crossed. Leaders with the 710th BSB said the bridge’s emplacement was extremely successful in providing the people of Bagh-E-Pul and Now Ruzi access and freedom of movement between the communities.
Soldiers on site also installed a vertical pole on each end indicating the bridge was only for foot traffic, and also welded ramps on each end for easy entrance to the bridge.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Now Ruzi Bridge is scheduled for Oct. 22 at 11 a.m., and will feature the Zharay district governor, ANA leaders, the district chief of police, and several key influencers from the area, as special guests.
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2011 03:07 |
| Story ID: | 78580 |
| Location: | ZHARAY DISTRICT, AF |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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