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Situated at the heart of Rwanda, Kigali stretches gracefully over a beautiful landscape. The city’s well-maintained roads branch out, seamlessly connecting it to the rest of the country. With a population just exceeding a million, Kigali’s distinctive charm is felt throughout the region.

Yet, just 5.6 miles beyond this urban haven lies a stark contrast. In the communities of Cyahafi, Rwanda, the Kiryango River serves as a symbol of missed opportunities. During the rainy season, it becomes a harsh reminder of the hardships faced by residents who depend on crossing the river to access vital resources. That is where the Bridges to Prosperity team comes in.

THE JOURNEY TO BUILDING A BRIDGE

On March 2, 2024, our team of volunteers landed in Kigali, and the next day, we began our road trip to Cyahafi in two Safari Land Cruisers. Taking on the challenge of building a bridge in Rwanda came with both anticipated and unforeseen difficulties. From navigating unfamiliar landscapes to overcoming language barriers, each logistical hurdle pushed our team to find creative solutions. Every challenge became an opportunity to grow, as resilience and determination transformed obstacles into moments of empowerment.

In partnership with Bridges to Prosperity (B2P), our team committed to building this bridge, aligning with B2P’s mission to create “a world where poverty caused by rural isolation no longer exists.” The dedicated team of volunteers joined forces with the local community and the B2P staff to complete the 120m Cyahafi suspended bridge in Rwanda. This bridge will provide year-round safe access to over 1,200 people in the area.

THE TEAM AND EXPERIENCES

This bridge was more than just a construction project. It was about creating lasting impact. Joel Blair, Southland’s Safety Manager, joined the team with a simple mission in mind: “I wanted to put my name on something that would last longer than me.” And that sentiment seemed to resonate with everyone involved. Building this bridge wasn’t just about safety protocols and ensuring the well-being of the team—it was about creating a lasting legacy for future generations in Rwanda.

Ben Okundia, Deputy Project Manager, emphasized the importance of service. “If you’re passionate about people and have an opportunity to help, don’t be scared.” He saw the project as more than just bridging a gap across a river; it was about bridging opportunity gaps for the local community. His motivation came from his desire to connect people to opportunities—whether that’s bridging a river or bridging the gap between fear and service.

For Kitty DiFalco, who has been with American Bridge Company for eight years as a project engineer, the B2P initiative resonated deeply with her personal values. She described her work as helping “children, adults, and even livestock safely cross dangerous situations.” DiFalco had first participated with B2P as an intern back in 2016, and this project further fueled her passion for ensuring the safety and well-being of people in underserved areas.

Aidan Williams, Southland’s Communications Lead, reflected on the warmth of the Rwandan people and the cleanliness of the streets. He brought toys for local children, witnessing their excitement firsthand. “Seeing their faces light up with joy is a memory I’ll never forget,” he said.

The technical challenges were many, from rugged terrain to manual labor, but the spirit of collaboration kept the project moving forward. Brendan Bresser, Senior Field Engineer, noted that although certain methods were more labor-intensive than expected, the team adapted quickly and worked alongside the local community. “Some challenges we encountered here were not typical. Backfilling with an excavator could have been used instead of manual labor, but this site required throwing rocks into a hole by hand,” he explained.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Connection

In the end, the Cyahafi Bridge project was about more than just steel cables and planks. It was about human connection—between volunteers and the local community, between the past and the future. As Kwadwo Osei Akoto, who has been with American Bridge for over 34 years, reflected, “This bridge represents not just physical connectivity but also bridges the gaps in opportunities and empowers individuals to dream bigger and reach higher.”

Through hard work, passion, and a shared commitment to leaving the world better than they found it, the Southland and American Bridge teams have once again shown the transformative power of service. The Cyahafi Bridge will stand for years to come—a symbol of perseverance, collaboration, and the simple yet profound impact of connecting people to possibilities.

Transforming the landscape along the shimmering waves of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the comprehensive overhaul of the Southern Blvd. Bridge stands as a testament to ingenuity. This formidable enterprise didn’t just see the substitution of an outdated movable bridge; it ushered in a new era for this half-mile urban passage. This revitalized the Post Memorial Causeway and included the construction of a temporary bridge to the north, maintaining a smooth flow of daily life during the transformation of the old drawbridge.

The newly constructed structures showcase a blend of sophistication and sturdiness, offering spacious 12-foot lanes coupled with ample 10-foot shoulders. These pathways cater to both cyclists and pedestrians, offering 7 feet for bikes and 6 feet for walkers. They create a welcoming atmosphere that seamlessly blends with the coastal charm. A range of enhancements such as advanced drainage systems, secure bulkhead, retaining walls, and aesthetic lighting pave the way for an improvement of the signalization, signage, and pavement demarcations.

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

A colossal undertaking in its own right, the temporary lift bridge sufficed brilliantly to manage the ceaseless flow of commuters. The temporary structure, boasting a 175-foot central span, was expertly crafted with precision and efficiency thanks to the team’s discerning approach. Anchored by four sturdy counterweight towers, its pedestrian safety was placed at the forefront of design considerations.

Spanning 948 feet, with 11 segments that include a notable 228-foot bascule portion, the bridge represents a harmonious blend of form and function. The continuous concrete slabs of the approach are balanced by a dually structured bascule span, arching overhead with a generous 21-foot clearance.

ENSURING CONNECTION

The Tide Relief Bridge, integral to the project, showcases a 7-span concrete slab configuration. Its stage-by-stage construction upheld the integrity of traffic along the slender causeway. Here, you can see the impressive attention to detail in the construction, with 48-inch and 60-inch drilled shafts supporting the approach and bascule piers, respectively.

APPROACH SEGMENTS

Approach segments (45 feet in dimension) rest upon sturdy pipe piles capped with steel beams. The sum of these efforts results in a sophisticated superstructure layered with rolled steel and precast concrete, topped with an asphalteous sheen for smooth transitions.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

But every transformation story has its challenges. Lake Worth Lagoon, with its varied geotechnical makeup, required creative solutions. Johnson Bros. and Applied Foundation Testing’s dedication led to the area’s most celebrated drilled shaft achievement. Their collaboration, coupled with careful planning, improved Palm Beach’s connectivity amidst evolving development, exemplifying adaptability, resourcefulness, and resilience in the face of infrastructure needs.

COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

Due to the various elements involved in the project, the safety program was created to be flexible, covering marine work, bridge construction, excavation/trenching, and road construction. Team members were given the authority to “stop work” if necessary, and were consistently reminded by supervisors to use this power, helping to identify issues early on that might have been missed during the planning stage.

In situations such as a foot injury during crew boat transfers, thorough investigations were carried out by both supervisors and field staff. These investigations highlighted the need for handrails on crew boats to support personnel while moving, ensuring they always have three points of contact. The findings from these investigations were shared with all employees during the monthly incident review, enabling each project to assess and enhance their procedures and receive appropriate training.

A strong emphasis was placed on hands-on learning, led by a mix of external trainers, internal trainers, and company experts. For instance, the fall rescue training involved collaboration with local emergency responders and project staff, providing valuable insights into the resources required for emergency rescue operations. Through the involvement of various experts and practical experiences, participants gained a thorough understanding of the skills and resources needed in real-world situations.

All project staff, including subcontractors, owners’ representatives, and owners, were urged to play a role in promoting safety across the project. This shared responsibility demonstrated the team’s commitment to upholding a secure work environment, aligning with the company’s core value of ‘Protect My Family,’ and highlighting the significance of prioritizing safety above all else.

The San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge is not only a critical piece of infrastructure, but a marvel of modern engineering. The work involved in constructing the iconic self-anchored suspension span of this bridge included the use of innovative techniques that pushed the boundaries of modern construction. In this post, we’ll dive into some of the most fascinating aspects of the project, including cable band installation, suspender rope installation, and load transfer works that were essential during construction.

Cable Band Erection

Following installation of the PWS (Prefabricated parallel Wire Strands) that made up the main cable, and compaction of those 137 strands, attention turned to cable band erection. There were a total of 114 cable bands, each unique due to varying slope and rotation of the main cable. The cable bands were composed of two halves that were fastened together with 2” diameter bolts and tensioned to a predetermined load.

Suspender Rope Erection

Of the 114 cable bands, 100 had a pair suspender ropes.  Various methods were used to erect the suspenders, depending on the height above the deck.  For locations that a crane could not reach, a custom designed frame was fabricated that allowed a winch to pull the suspender into position.  The center of each suspender rope was marked during fabrication to verify suspender was properly placed during installation.

Load Transfer

Suspender Rope Jacking

The load transfer operation was a critical phase during the Bay Bridge’s construction.  During this operation the permanent suspender ropes were sequentially tensioned to transfer the weight of the bridge deck from the temporary truss to the main cable.  To perform this operation, engineers utilized a jacking system consisting of friction clamp weldments, threaded rods, and jacking beams at each suspender location to connect the suspenders to the bridge superstructure.

The friction clamp weldment was comprised of thick steel plates with machined surfaces secured to each suspender rope using eighteen 1.25” diameter A490 bolts.  The friction clamps were connected to a lower jacking beam using 4 high-strength all-thread rods.  The jacking beams were equipped with two hydraulic jacks.  Each individual system was capable of supporting the maximum load transfer design load of 800 tons, lifting the bridge superstructure, and permanently connecting the suspender to the bridge superstructure.

These jacking systems were vital to equalize the loads during jacking operations, ensuring the structural integrity of the suspender ropes.  The precision required in this process was remarkable, as each jacking location needed to lift and transfer the load incrementally to avoid putting excess strain on the structure during the load transfer operation. 

Jacking Saddle & Tower Adjustments

A unique aspect of the SAS span was it’s continuous main cable; each end of the cable was anchored into the deck at the east end and wrapped around the west pier.  This imposed challenges as the main cable was loaded during load transfer.  Prior to cable erection, the permanent tower was “pulled” approximately 20” west.  To perform this operation, ten 2.25” strands  were connected between the top of the tower to the adjacent island. Jacks on the lower end of the strands were used to manipulate the movement of the tower.  During load transfer, the jacks were adjusted to allow the tower to move at predetermined increments in order to balance the horizontal reactions from the cable.

Additionally, the cable between the two west deviation saddles needed to be adjusted during load transfer to maintain equal tension with the side span cable.  The jacking saddle, positioned between the two deviation saddles, was used to perform this operation.  At each of the jacking saddle’s four legs, four 300T jacks were used to adjust the location of the jacking saddle.  Throughout load transfer, the jacking saddle was sequentially “pushed” a distance of approximately 5’-5”.

In total, the team managed to jack and transfer the load in multiple stages, demonstrating incredible precision and control in their engineering methods. It’s a testament to the planning and expertise involved in constructing a bridge of this magnitude.

The Unsung Heroes of Bridge Engineering

The construction of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge is a testament to the power of modern engineering. Each phase of the project required careful planning, precision execution, and immense technical expertise. These complex processes were integral in ensuring that the bridge could handle the immense loads placed upon it, while also standing as a symbol of engineering excellence for generations to come.

The next time you drive across the Bay Bridge, remember the countless hours of engineering and ultimately the successful load transfer process, that made this marvel of modern construction possible.

The Brightline train project is more than just a transportation venture; it’s a historic feat of engineering and a testament to modern innovation. Stretching across miles of diverse terrain in Florida, this project connects the state’s major cities within an easy and quick route. Since its initial opening in 2018, the line has continued to grow, carrying over 2 million passengers in 2023. Today, Brightline’s maximum operating speed is 125 mph. The trains cover the 235-mile route from Miami to Orlando in 3 hours and 25 minutes, with an average speed of 69 mph.

Bridging the Gap: A Construction Marvel

At the heart of the Brightline project is the construction of 28 bridges, a crucial element in its design. These bridges are not just structures but symbols of connectivity and progress. The primary objective was to replace existing and outdated bridges with larger and more efficient ones, incorporating an additional track for rail traffic at each water crossing. This enhancement allowed both Brightline Trains and Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) to operate on two rail lines instead of one. Notably, four of the 28 bridges were of historical significance, namely the Eau Gallie River (Melbourne, FL), Crane Creek (Melbourne, FL), Turkey Creek (Palm Bay, FL), and Sebastian River (Sebastian, FL). These particular bridges posed the greatest challenges due to their size and complexity, requiring a meticulously coordinated approach.

Navigating Challenges: The Power of Innovation

Building a project of this scale is not without its challenges. The Brightline construction teams faced numerous obstacles, from difficult terrain to unpredictable weather conditions. However, these challenges were met with cutting-edge solutions and a workforce dedicated to overcoming any hurdles.

One of the major challenges was constructing the bridge foundations deep into the riverbed, ensuring stability and durability. This task required advanced machinery and techniques, including the use of large-diameter pilings driven deep into the ground. The project also demanded close coordination with environmental experts to protect the surrounding ecosystem, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable development. Another main challenge faced by the team involved coordinating with the railroad flaggers responsible for ensuring safety along the active railroad corridor, along with not impacting existing FECR rail traffic. Effective and constant communication was crucial with all members of the project team to mitigate any potential risks and ensure the smooth progress of the project.

Celebrating Success: A Community Effort

The Brightline project is not just about the engineering, it’s also a story of community and collaboration. The workforce behind this project includes hundreds of skilled workers, engineers, and planners, all contributing their expertise to bring this vision to life.

Moreover, the Brightline project is set to have a lasting impact on the communities it connects. By providing a fast, efficient, and reliable mode of transportation, it will open up new opportunities for economic growth, tourism, and cultural exchange. The project is poised to revolutionize travel in the region, making it easier for people to commute, explore, and engage with the world around them.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future

As the Brightline project nears completion, it stands as a beacon of what’s possible when innovation meets determination. The rail line is now a tangible connection that will serve generations to come. The journey of Brightline is far from over; it’s a continuous path of progress that will shape the future of transportation in the region. The Brightline train project is a journey into history, one that honors the past while embracing the future.  Our JBC team’s involvement in this project was a pivotal part in the success of the Brightline High Speed Passenger Train transit from Miami, FL to Orlando, FL in 2023, making history as the first private US passenger rail line in 100 years.

In the world of civil engineering, certain projects stand out not only for their scale but also for their intricate design and technical challenges. The Queensferry Crossing in Edinburgh, Scotland, is one such project. This monumental bridge, spanning the Firth of Forth, is a testament to modern engineering, innovation, and perseverance.

A Cable-Stayed Colossus

The Queensferry Crossing is not your typical bridge. With a total length of 2,638 meters, it boasts a central cable-stayed bridge (CSB) that spans 2,090 meters. This design ensures that the bridge is both strong and flexible, capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of the North Sea while providing a vital transport link between Edinburgh and the surrounding regions. The bridge stands at a whopping 210 meters at its highest point making it the tallest bridge in the UK. The Queensferry Crossing was completed and opened in August of 2017.

Construction of the CSB required careful consideration of the bridge’s weight and stability. The segments were built with a combination of concrete and steel, ensuring that the structure could bear the significant loads placed upon it. By January 2016, 60 out of the 110 deck segments had been installed, highlighting the relentless progress of the construction team.

Approach Viaducts: Engineering Precision

The Queensferry Crossing isn’t just about the main span; it also features two approach viaducts on either side. The Approach Viaduct North (AVN) and the Approach Viaduct South (AVS) are essential for connecting the bridge to the existing road networks. These viaducts were constructed in stages, with each section meticulously aligned to ensure a smooth transition onto the main bridge. AVS was launched in 12 phases onto V-Shaped piers and sits at 525 meters long.  AVN is made up of two different cross section types: parallel twin composite decks, and a single composite deck with 12 single deck segments and 8 twin deck segments. AVN sits at 221 meters long.

A key challenge in the construction of the approach viaducts was minimizing disruption to the surrounding communities and environment. The team employed innovative techniques such as launching girders from a fabrication facility directly onto the piers, significantly reducing the need for onsite construction.

Towers: The Heart of the Bridge

Rising high above the Firth of Forth, the three towers of the Queensferry Crossing are perhaps the most striking feature of the bridge. These towers, each reaching heights from 207-210 meters, were designed to anchor the cables that support the bridge deck. The reinforced towers start at bedrock nearly 40 meters below the water.

Constructing the towers was no easy feat. The reinforced concrete structures were built in segments, with each new segment being added only after the previous one had set. They were built in 4-meter sections using climbing formworks, or jumpforms, with a total of 54 lifts per tower. This incremental approach ensured the stability of the towers as they grew taller. The towers also had to be resilient enough to withstand the fierce winds that regularly sweep across the waterway. Due to the Scotland’s famous variable weather, the towers featured all-weather “bird-cages” so work could continue in all types of climates.

Making History Overseas

The construction of the Queensferry Crossing was a global effort. The bridge’s design and construction involved companies from across Europe, including Spain, Germany, and the UK. This international collaboration brought together some of the brightest minds in engineering to tackle the numerous challenges presented by the project.

From the initial design phase to the final stages of construction, the project required meticulous planning and execution. By Spring 2017, the Queensferry Crossing was on track to be completed, marking a major milestone in the history of Scottish infrastructure.

A Lasting Impression on the Community

The Queensferry Crossing is more than just a bridge; it’s a crucial component of Scotland’s transport network. The bridge connects the motorway networks on either side of the Firth of Forth, providing a vital link for commuters and freight transport alike. With the completion of the bridge, traffic flow across the waterway improved significantly, reducing congestion and travel times for commuters coming in and out of the city. This iconic bridge stands as a testament to a global effort in engineering in construction and will continue to serve the people of Scotland for years to come.