|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chancaybanos Suspended Pedestrian Footbridge
Project # 045
Project Slide Show
Bridge Sponsors: Rotary clubs of Warwick, Virginia USA and Cajamarca, Peru and the Rotary Foundation
Partners: Ayuda en Accion; Municipality of Chancaybanos; Community of Panchamamba
Volunteers: Janet & Matt Ellenbogen; Ken & Brendan Frantz
Dedication: Matt Ellenbogen
Memorial: Dr. Robert R. Baxter
Bridge Name: Chancaybanos
River Name: Chancaybanos
Bridge Span: 48 meter span (158 feet)
Pedestrian Footbridge Type: Suspended
Population Served by Bridge: 2,500
Bridge Story: Twenty two years ago the Peruvian government constructed one of their old suspension bridges at this location, called a puente colgante (a bridge that hangs like a pendant). However, this design has one terrible flaw. The numerous cables that carry the deck load are pulled so tight (like piano wire), that the cables quickly loose their strength over time. Hence, while the cables should last over 40 years, this design flaw reduces the life span of this bridge to 18-20 years.
When we arrived, half of the lower cables were broken from stress, and the bridge was hence dangerous to cross. Bridges to Prosperity was asked to come up with a way to fix this design flaw, and repair the structure in a way that would add another 20-25 years onto the life of this bridge.
This required that the old deck and lower cables be removed, and new cables installed. Also, since this is a high traffic crossing (the community of Panchamamba relied on this bridge to access markets, clinics, and school in Chancaybanos), the new bridge needed to be installed in such a way to allow continual use and traffic.
As such, a clever logistical plan was developed that saw the removal and addition of its new deck in just 10 days. A special thanks to the community leader that led this effort - Celso, the maestro from AeA that provided supervision - Ceasar, and to the logistical support provided by Glen & Wilson from AeA.
Click on the Google Earth™ logo-Project link below to see a satellite view of the bridge site. Get a free copy of Google Earth™ here.
Project # 045 - Chancaybanos Suspended Pedestrian Footbridge
Click On A Logo Below To Follow Us
