Steve Freihon/Related-Oxford
New York, New York
Bridges to Prosperity 2024: Makurungwe Trail Bridge Recap
July 26, 2024
Joining forces with Bridges to Prosperity for our 2024 Thornton Tomasetti Gives Back service project, Thornton Tomasetti’s team traveled to the East African country of Rwanda to construct the Makurungwe trail bridge over the Musogoro River, serving the 3,000+ members of the Makurungwe, Kabuga, Kavumu, Nyagahinga and Nkomangurwa communities. Here is their summary:
Bridge Construction
We started construction on June 17. During the first week on-site, we accomplished several tasks:
- Unrolled and fixed the cables to the abutments
- Surveyed and adjusted the bridge sag
- Cut and bent rebar
- Built crossbeams and launched them
- Assisted in backfilling the abutments with rock
- Attached the safety line
- Bolted the decks into place
During the second week, beginning June 24, we successfully finished the following tasks:
- Tightened the bolts on all the deck panels and crossbeams
- Fastened the rebar to the cables
- Installed the chicken wire fence
- Painted the concrete columns and added the Thornton Tomasetti logo
School Visit
Every day, the children who attended the local school would greet us and escort us to and from the site. They would watch us build the bridge throughout the day, stop us to practice their English and teach us how to count in Kinyarwanda. We visited the school on June 26, before going to the site. The students sang a few beautiful songs, including the one we knew called “Tuzarwubaka” (“We Will Build It” in Kinyarwanda). We delivered donations and gifts, including school supplies, menstrual products, soccer balls, board games, bubble wands, artwork and letters prepared by the children of our Washington, D.C., employees. We borrowed a rope from the site to create a giant game of tug-of-war.
Inauguration Day
On inauguration day, the atmosphere was electric with celebration and jubilation –full of singing, dancing and children playing on the bridge. People, both young and old shared stories of the difficulties they faced without the bridge as well as the overwhelming joy for the opportunities this bridge will create. Ten members of the local Makurungwe team were selected to maintain the bridge and ensure its longevity.
The completion of the Makurungwe Trail Bridge marks a transformative moment for the local communities, promising hope and connection. The bridge symbolizes opportunity and an improvement in their quality of life. It stands as a testament to the power of kindness, collaboration and a shared vision.