El Bosque - Pedestrian Bridge
Joyabaj, Guatemala
El Puente Hamaca Escondido is the third project in the Joyabaj program. The 30-meter span suspended pedestrian bridge hangs above a 20-meter gorge, through which runs the Rio Blanc, and serves as a crossing for the communities of El Bosque and Piedras Blancas. The new crossing provides a safe, more direct route for students of El Bosque to attend school in Piedras Blancas, it grants quick access to healthcare and markets in the city of Joyabaj, and it provides greater employment opportunities for both communities year-round.
The bridge was designed during the 2015-2016 school year by project leads Steve Pelrine and Sam Wagner with a team of fellow students that assisted in the calculations, drawing development, and project reports. Designed for loading of one hundred pounds per square foot, the bridge permits the crossing by foot and motorcycle.
Construction took place in Late May 2016. A travel team of nine, including Responsible Engineer in Charge, Nate Holmer, and faculty advisor, Dr. Mark Federle, stayed in the community of El Bosque during construction. Prior to the arrival of the EWB Marquette team, the communities had collected 50 cubic meters of river stone for construction and had completed the necessary excavations under the direction of Marquette Alum, Kelsey Welch. With daily help from members of both communities, the bridge was completed in two weeks and without any major incidents.