Posted on 04/16/2010 4:35:27 PM PDT by SandRat
ABU GHRAIB – A U.S. Soldier visited the site of a destroyed pedestrian footbridge here to meet with Iraqi representatives to discuss reconstructing the once-busy thoroughfare, April 6.
Capt. Talgin Cannon, a member of the Joint Project Management Office of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, knows traveling to school should be a fun and safe experience for children. But in this neighborhood, the journey for a good education has become treacherous without the footbridge.
The bridge was destroyed by an improvised explosive device about two years ago, Cannon said, explaining that rebuilding would allow safe travel for locals trying to cross the busy road.
"The most important thing is the safety of the children here," he said. "The bridge will help get these kids to school safely without getting hit by a speeding car."
According to several sources, including local Iraqi Police and District Area Council members, at least five children have been killed while trying to cross the busy road this year alone.
"For these kids it's like playing a game of leap frog with their lives every day to go to school and then return home," said Cannon, an Elkin, N.C., native.
For this very reason, reconstruction of the bridge was the number one project nominated by the council members for completion in the area, which will be funded through the U.S. Army's Commander's Emergency Response Program, he said.
A local construction company was contracted to build the bridge, which will span 25 meters across the two-way road. The cost of the footbridge is estimated at $84,000 and will take several months to complete.
This most recent meeting between Cannon and the contractors was more or less a formality, ensuring that everything was on track in getting the project up and running.
"We didn't stay out there long because the construction company knew what needs to be done," said Cannon, after his meeting with the contractors was complete. "All they really need was the 'OK' from us."
Many Soldiers that conduct missions in this area say the need for this bridge is evident.
"I do a lot of traveling on this road, and it really concerns me to see small kids run across this road," said Sgt. Reginald Chretien, a team leader with the Military Police platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div., from Beaumont, Texas. "There are vendors on the sides of the road, and it attracts a lot of people walking across this busy road, and there is a school right there."
He added that it's a big problem with people running across busy streets in this area and getting hit.
These Soldiers saw a need and are meeting that need. Now that the project is underway, the locals can rest assured that safe travel across this road is in the near future.
"For the people in this community, this bridge means a lot," said Cannon. "I am just glad that we are able to get this project going now."
Why can’t Iraqis rebuild their own footbridges?
We have a war going on south of the US border and our military is fixing footpaths on the other side of the planet.
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