During seasonal rains this peaceful stream can rise ten feet or more, effectively cutting off Belle-Rivière from the rest of the world. We can alleviate much of the danger and disruption by building a pedestrian bridge across this river. Twice a year the uncertainty of high water increases risk and interrupts the living pattern
at B-R. The market, schools, and most other daily activities must be put on hold while the water recedes.
at B-R. The market, schools, and most other daily activities must be put on hold while the water recedes.
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
Since regular flooding and the debris it brings would jeopardize support pedestals, the bridge must span a 50 meter gap (164 feet) without pedestal supports.
It will be built without heavy I-beams or channels, typical for a bridge that length, making it a unique engineering and fabrication challenge.
It will be built without heavy I-beams or channels, typical for a bridge that length, making it a unique engineering and fabrication challenge.
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NORIA Project
After a long search for an in-country source which can provide design, fabrication, and construction of such a bridge, FBR found a French-based organization called
NORIA which perfectly fits the need. Noria was founded by architects/engineers in Paris in 2005 to facilitate infrastructure for developing countries. Noria works in partnership with AECP, a manufacturing facility which fabricates their designs. Noria provides engineering and technical support. AECP employs Haitian labor to fabricate and erect the bridge. Left: In January a team of NORIA facilitators briefed B-R coordinators and two adjutant mayors from Miragoâne on project details. Later everyone met at Camp-Perrin where the project received final government approval. |
Update
Following Hurricane Laura in late August, the river became impassible again for several days. After months of negotiations with an importer and customs, NORIA received the remainder of the Corten steel needed for fabrication of the bridge in early September.
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Fabricator
Les Ateliers Ecoles de Camp-Perrin (AECP), the organization which will build the bridge, was established as a non-profit in 1977. It is located in the town of
Camp-Perrin, near Les Cayes, a major port city about 2.5 hours from B-R. In November AECP agreed to design a bridge for B-R. They hope to use the design for this 50 meter free-standing bridge as a prototype for bridges in other parts of Haiti. Their intent is to create jobs so they specialize in doing work by hand rather than by automation. The bridge design will capitalize on lightweight folded steel rather than typical structural steel elements. The bridge will be made of "CORTEN" or weathering steel and thus maintenance free. Though primarily for pedestrians, motorcycles, and animals, the bridge will accommodate small emergency vehicles on a limited basis. Summary of the bridge project |
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