Photo By Maj. Timothy Irish | The steady hands of Helmand Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal cuts the ceremonial...... read more read more
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MUSA QAL'EH, Afghanistan - Commerce and travel through the District of Musa Qal’eh just became easier with the completion and grand opening of the Musa Qal’eh Wadi Crossing, Dec. 9.
The new crossing was officially opened to traffic by Helmand Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal, accompanied by the Regional Command Southwest Commanding General Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr., and several members of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, during the event which drew a crowd of officials and elders from areas throughout the province to witness the progress and realize the potential of what the new bridge means to the region.
“The symbolic nature of this wadi crossing cannot be understated,” said Lt. Col. Bill Vivian, the commanding officer for 2/4. “Connecting Musa Qal’eh, which has been seen as an island of security to the rest of the province, I think this symbolizes that connection. This is really a crowning achievement, not only for 2/4, but for all the battalions who have fought here before us.”
The bridge over these troubling waters has been a long time coming for both the citizens of the area and the mixture of Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces who strive to provide security in the town. During the rainy season, the wadi, or seasonal river, had become dangerous because of its depth, up to 6 feet in some areas, and the torrential current flowing through the area. It was decided a permanent and safer way to cross was needed to support the economic growth of the area and allow the freedom of movement to and from the district center.
“This connects the two separated districts of Musa Qal’eh, the west and the east,” said Musa Qal’eh District Governor Alhaj Neamatollah Samih. “Before when there was no bridge, the prices were very high in the winter season; but now it is going to be low and the prices will be fixed in the Musa Qal’eh District,” he added in concern to the commercial trade throughout the district.
“What we’ve hoped to design, working with the governor and the leadership that you see around you today, was to hopefully bring economic development to places like Musa Qal’eh,” said Toolan.
The economics of the region can expand even further with the addition of this bridge as well as other projects in the area. A road, known as Route Red, connects the District of Musa Qal’eh to the District of Gereshk, the economic hub of Northern Helmand Province. Now traders from both towns can easily traverse the land and provide more goods and services to the citizens throughout the province.
“The Musa Qal’eh Bazaar is the third largest bazaar in Helmand province,” said Vivian. “They rely on supplies from Gereshk and Lashkar Gah to make the economic engine go.”
“Something that I like to tell donors and other countries that come to Helmand to see what’s going on here is that Helmand is open for business,” said Toolan.
As important as the economics of a region are to the stability of the area, the new crossing will allow more interaction between the people and the local government as well. The district governor is more capable to reach out to the citizens and work toward more improvements to the area.
“The completion of the project gives the citizens of Musa Qal’eh tangible evidence of progress and development,” said Brian Jalbert, a U.S. State Department official who has previously worked in Musa Qal’eh.
“The bridge itself is part of a larger effort with government and International Security Assistance Forces to be able to connect the District of Musa Qal’eh with (southern areas),” said Maj. David Vanhoof, a civil affairs team leader from 4th Civil Affairs Group in support of 2/4.
The crossing also enables an Afghan National Army battalion headquartered in the district center, 3rd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, to conduct resupply and better command its forces in other parts of the district. It also allows them to provide quicker response to the citizens when help is needed.
The project began in September as sailors with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 began to assess how the crossing would be built to eliminate the threat of flooding and withstand years of abuse from the eroding effects of currents.
“This crossing is unique by not diverting the water, but using the natural terrain that is already here and widening the area so that more water can flow,” said Senior Chief Dan Walker, the NMCB-4 assistant officer in charge assigned to develop the wadi crossing.
The bridge took three months to build and is constructed from 609 pieces of concrete, weighing approximately 20,000 pounds a piece. The structure is held together by 15,000 welds made to steel inlays within the concrete pieces.
Walker, a New York City native, assures the crossing is “not going anywhere.”
“Our Seabees and our engineers have day in and day out confronted (improvised explosive devices) and threats in order to build this bridge and connect it with the road that will take you to Gereshk,” assured Toolan to the citizens in attendance for the opening.
A vast number of supporting units were instrumental in order to bring the crossing from concept to completion including Marines from Combat Service Support Battalion and Engineer Support Battalion.
“It was a real team effort,” said Vivian. “It was something that from the Regional Command Southwest level all the way to the squad that was in charge of keeping security, working together to make this happen.”
The crossing is just one of many infrastructure improvement projects spearheaded by Regimental Combat Team 8. Construction of permanent infrastructure contributes to lasting sustainable improvements by allowing the agrarian-based economies of Northern Helmand province to increase trade.
“As you know we’re shrinking in size, but we feel very confident that the Afghan people are very capable of taking the security that’s been established and bringing that growth and development to Helmand province,” said Toolan.
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2011 06:59 |
| Story ID: | 81169 |
| Location: | MUSA QAL'EH, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,209 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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