Planning & Construction of a footbridge in Rwanda

Rwandan students of civil engineering, the NGO Engineers without Borders Germany and Bridges to Prosperity are designing and building a footbridge from October 2012 to March 2013. The span is 35m over the river Giciye. The construction will be done together with the locals.

Up to 1000 people cross the river Giciye on market days at the intended location. Therefore exists a small and seriously damaged bridge composed of wood beams. During the rainy season this bridge is washed over and not usable. This led to several cases of death.

The new bridge provides save access for the locals to hospitals, schools, markets, food, employment and a lot more all year long. To give the residents and the users of the bridge the knowledge and the motivation to maintain the bridge on their own, they will be involved in the construction. Through the joint planning and the following implementation, the students of civil engineering of the Rwandan Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) will be able to achieve experience and technical knowledge. This makes an independent realization of similar projects possible in the future.

The design of the bridge starts in October 2012 at the KIST after a seminar on Bridge Building in Rural Areas was held by the Engineers without Borders Germany. The completion of the bridge in expected in March 2013.

Kamajanga is located near the small town Kabaya. The linear distance to the capital Kigali is 70 km.
The costs are composed of expenses for material, transport and labor (for domestic workers). In addition to that costs occur for the design (office equipment, communication etc.), board and lodging on construction site. All engineering is done voluntarily and without payment.


Further information on the project and the Engineers without Borders Germany are found on our website:
http://www.ingenieure-ohne-grenzen.org/de/Kompetenzgruppen/Kompetenzgruppe-Bruecken-und-Hochbau/Projekte/Planung-und-Bau-einer-Fussgaengerbruecke-in-Ruanda Read more