University of Colorado Bridges to Prosperity
Ichoca, La Paz, Bolivia
In the summer of 2014 CUB2P traveled to Ichoca, La Paz, Bolivia to build a suspended cable footbridge over the Chungara River. Our endeavors were a great success as we finished the project a week early with no reportable injuries, and provided access to over 700 people. The bridge spans 76 meters over a 40 meter gorge along the main pathway to Ichoca. Travelers from the CU team included Kyle Anderson, Jay Arehart, Javier Avitia-Herrera, Harry McElroy, Kyle Reiter, and Garrett Sprouse.
Copachunco, Cochabamba, Bolivia
In the summer of 2013, CUB2P partnered with Duke Engineers for International Development (DEID) to construct a 227 foot suspended bridge over the Copachuncho River. Construction took place in May and June of that year and CUB2P sent seven members, including inaugural Bridge Builder of the Year award recipient, Mickey Chianese. Many members of the community helped in construction of the bridge, most notably Angola, who contributed daily while tending his farm at night. The bridge allows farmers from Copachuncho access to the local market in Totora, as well as a reliable route to school for many children.
Entre Rios, Cochabamba, Bolivia
CU Bridges to Prosperity completed its first chapter bridge in Entre Rios, Bolivia. With the combined efforts of a five-student team and the various local community members who worked with them each day, the bridge was successfully constructed in July 2012. The cable suspended bridge spans 45 meters across a river which previously separated the community of Entre Rios, as well as the communities further down road, from the community of Toreni and the town of Tiquipaya. Without access to the bridge these rural communities were isolated when the road directly through the river water became too dangerous to cross. The bridge serves approximately 1000 people with traffic of 100 people per day.
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