Wacholi Footbridge Project
During another project in the area, the danger of the footbridge to even the least foot traffic was evident. In response, EWB-Indy designed, implemented and monitored an improved footbridge.
During the construction of one of the new spring boxes for the Mayanja Kibuke Water Supply Project, the team inspected a nearby footbridge (photo) that was used daily by 400 primary school children that spanned a river about 20 feet wide by 15 feet deep. The existing footbridges would frequently wash away during the rainy season and rebuilt with any available scrap wood. The chapter decided to design and construct a new footbridge (photo) using 50-foot long eucalyptus timbers (treated with motor oil) that are ready available (photo), supported by reinforced concrete abutments set back from the river bank and with the bridge deck setting about 4 feet above the top of bank and above the flood elevation based on testimonials from the local residents on how high the river floods. The footbridge was completed by chapter team members and local laborers in March 2016 (photo). During the rainy season in August – September 2018, the bridge collapsed due to flooding and erosion around one of the abutments. Fortunately, no one was using the bridge at the time of the collapse. Hopefully another EWB chapter experienced in the design and construction of suspension bridges will design and construct a new footbridge well away from any potential floodwaters and erosion.
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