CHAPTER: Engineers Without Borders-CMU COUNTRY: El Salvador COMMUNITY: Gualindo Arriba PROJECT: La Quebrada River Bridge

Transcription

1 Document 521 PRE-ASSESSMENT REPORT CHAPTER: Engineers Without Borders-CMU COUNTRY: El Salvador COMMUNITY: Gualindo Arriba PROJECT: La Quebrada River Bridge PREPARED BY Engineers Without Borders-CMU, ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS-USA

2 Pre-Assessment Report Part 1 Administrative Information 1.0 Contact Information Project Leads President Mentor #1 Mentor #2 Faculty Advisor (if applicable) Health Point Person #1 Health Point Person #2 NGO/Community Contact Education Lead 2.0 Travel History Dates of Travel Name Phone Chapter EWB-CMU EWB-CMU Lansing Area Professional s Assessment or Implementation n/a n/a n/a Description of Trip EWB-CMU EWB-CMU EWB-CMU 3.0 Travel Team Name Phone Chapter Student or Professional EWB-CMU Student EWB-CMU Student EWB-CMU Student EWB-CMU Student Lansing Area Professional Professional

3 4.0 Safety 4.1 State Department Warning There are no current state department warnings on El Salvador. 4.2 Point to point travel detail We will begin our travel at the Detroit Metro Airport from which we will connect until we arrive at the airport in San Salvador, El Salvador. If we arrive during the day we can have transportation arranged for us through the municipal government. We could also take an airport shuttle into the city of San Salvador or use a taxi service. If we arrive at night we will use a taxi service to take us to the city and to the hotel we will be staying in for the night. Our food and water will be bought in restaurants while we are in San Salvador. To get to the community of Gualindo Arriba we will travel by bus. The trip should take roughly four hours. While in the community, we will be staying and eating with community members. We will need to purchase water by the gallon in the community. 4.3 Safety Plan For health safety we will have a CPR/Lifeguard trained student traveling with the group, also all members will have any medications they may need with them. We will have a first aid kit designed for hazards we may face while in El Salvador. For safety against crime, we will travel in groups and refrain from traveling at night when possible. We will find restaurants and hotels in safe areas as recommended by contacts and travel guides. For transportation safety, we will travel only in groups and use the modes of transportation recommended by our contacts. For drinking water safety, we will buy water in the community and use bottled water when possible in the city. For food safety we will monitor ingredients in the community to keep from disrupting food allergies, and make sure food is cooked in a manner with which we are comfortable. In the city, we will eat in restaurants recommended by contacts or travel guides. We will be traveling in the rainy season, but we do not foresee that causing any danger to our group. We do not foresee any danger from local customs or community residents, but if any arise we will deal with them as best as we can at that moment by staying together as a group and leaving the area if necessary. 4.4 Emergency Plan and Exit Strategy In case of an emergency at the site, we will solicit the help of community members to transport us to either the hospital or the consulate. Many community members have cars or trucks. The nearest hospital is one hour away and the consulate is in San Salvador, four hours away. If there is a National emergency where we will need to leave the country we will contact the consulate with cell phones, used commonly in the community and by our contact NGO, and get instructions from them. We would most likely fly out of the San Salvador airport.

4 4.5 Contacts On-the-ground phone number and for travel team On the ground phone: On the ground Nearest US Consulate Contact Information Embajada de Los Estados Unidos Sección Consular Final Boulevard Santa Elena Telephone: (from US) Telephone: (from El Salvador) Nearest Hospital Contact Information Hospital Clinica San Francisco 5ª Av. Norte Nº 204z San Miguel, El Salvador Telephone: Budget 5.1 Cost Expense Total Cost Airfare $4000 On Ground $1424 Materials $350 Other $75 Total $6849

5 5.2 Hours Names # of Weeks Hours/Week Trip Hours Total Hours Project Lead Mentor Other Team Members Donors and Funding Donor Name Type (company, foundation, private, Account Kept Amount in-kind) at EWB-USA? Total Amount Raised: 6.0 Project Location Longitude: 88 04' 32" W Latitude: 13 44' 11"_N 7.0 Project Impact Persons directly affected: 800 Persons indirectly affected: Mentor Resume

6 Pre-Assessment Report Part 2 Technical Information 1.0 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this document is to educate our EWB group as well as the board on project and travel issues which must be evaluated prior to travel and project assessment. The purpose of our trip is to assess the community of Gualindo Arriba and the proposed bridge. We will assess the community s need and any other possibilities for meeting that need. We will make sure that a bridge or other solution is what the community wants the most and collect necessary data to take back and work on the design of our project. Also, we will get to know the community and its members we will try to gain their trust and approval to ensure we have their assistance when the time comes to build in the community. 2.0 PROGRAM BACKGROUND Gualindo Arriba is a rural community of about 150 families, located about 3 kilometers from the nearest pueblo, Lolotiquillo. Lolotiquillo has about 2,000 inhabitants and is home to the nearest high school. The road traveling to the community is mostly unpaved and entering or leaving requires crossing one or more riverbeds without bridges. Many community members have to leave daily to attend the high school in Lolotiquillo, or less frequently to do shopping, attain medical services, sell agricultural produce, and attend cultural events. Last year, the community leaders and our in-country contact convened a general assembly of community members to elaborate a diagnostic of community needs. Over 50 members of the community participated in the diagnostic, and had the opportunity to identify community needs and then prioritize them in terms of importance. Participants identified various infrastructural needs as primary, as travel to and from the community, as well as within the community, are all complicated by the lack of good quality roads and bridges. In particular, a large number of community members felt that the lack of a bridge across an unnamed river in the community outweighed the need for other projects, especially because the dangerous river crossing prevents some families from sending their children to school when the river is high. The community feels that these road improvements will aid people in finding and attending jobs outside the community; will increase school attendance by making travel to school safer; will ease access to medical facilities; and will provide increased cultural opportunities to adults and children alike by making travel to nearby communities faster and easier. They anticipate that this ease of travel will, over time, contribute to increased employment and education, ultimately aiding in the long term cultural and economic growth of the region. Currently, the only project identified for the program in Gualindo Arriba is to build the bridge at "la quebrada" ("the riverbed"). Some other minor road improvements are already underway.

7 3.0 OBJECTIVES OF SITE ASSESSMENT TRIP Upon arrival in the community, we will meet the community members and leaders. We will discuss why we are in the community and what developments the community would like to see. We will meet with leaders and community members to assess the priority levels of the different projects along with our capacity to see them through. We will enlist the help of community members to observe the sites where projects may be completed and we will take measurements for use in our project development back at Central Michigan University. For example, we have been contacted about building a bridge. Our assessment trip is planned for the rainy season when rivers are high. We will be able to measure flow rates and depths of the rivers and streams and we will interview community members about previous years and their levels. We will interview community member about trends in the water s current and height, we will interview as many as possible to have plenty of data to find trends and averages within. We will interview the community members about past construction projects and how they are carried through. We will ask about how to get supplies to the community, who in the community would be able to help, where else we can find help with construction, where we can get or rent machinery we may need, and if any community members have experience with large construction/ bridge projects. We will map the area and try to obtain official maps if possible. In short we will gather all information possible about the area, community, and community members that will assist in our project planning throughout the next year. 4.0 COMMUNITY INFORMATION 4.1 Description of Community Gualindo Arriba is a rural community of about 150 families, located about 3 kilometers from the nearest pueblo, Lolotiquillo. Lolotiquillo has about 2,000 inhabitants and is home to the nearest high school. The closest market lies another 4 kilometers away. Most families earn about $1,200 per year through small-scale agriculture. Also, some families sew clothing for extra money, or receive remittances from family members working in the United States. Homes are primarily cement block. Many homes are only made of adobe, and some are made of red brick. Almost all of the homes have electricity, and most of them have running water: though not necessarily indoor plumbing. Sections of the road vary in make-up. Different types of ground make-up include dirt, cobblestone, cement with sand (not blacktop), and others with a kind of hexagonal brick The road traveling to the community is mostly unpaved and entering or leaving requires crossing one or more riverbeds without bridges. A large number of community members felt that the lack of a bridge across an unnamed river in the community outweighed the need for other projects, especially because the dangerous river crossing prevents some families from sending their children to school when the river is high. Many community members have to leave daily to attend the high school in Lolotiquillo, or less frequently to do shopping, attain medical services, sell agricultural produce, and attend cultural events.

8 4.2 Community/NGO Resources and Constraints This project will be completed in close partnership with the local Peace Corp Volunteer, the municipal government, and an NGO called FUNDEMAC that works in the region. The Peace Corp Volunteer and local government will help organize the village leadership and labor force, hire the foreman, and arrange for the procurement of necessary construction materials and tools. While on the assessment, specifics about what materials are readily available for construction will be assessed along with a tentative plan for transportation to the site. Also, the local community will participate actively with determining necessary features for the bridge. (Ex. Weather resistance.) FUNDEMAC will help to manage the project and aid in fundraising. Money for future repairs will come from the road maintenance budget of the local government. 4.3 Community Relations : Kalev is the local Peace Corp member for the community of Gualindo Arriba. As our primary contact, Kalev provides information about the community and is our main in-country source for the project. Also, he will lead development on the bridge within the community. (Ex. Finding laborers) FUNDEMAC: FUNDEMAC is our NGO for the project. FUNDEMAC aids in educational development in El Salvador. This project will enable children to travel to schools safer and more efficiently so FUNDEMAC will support administratively and financially with the project. 4.4 Community Priorities Community priorities right now are road improvements and the proposed bridge. The community is interested in building a school, but is having trouble getting funding. 5.0 DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 5.1 Site Mapping A detailed site map of village will be developed, showing the village boundaries, the road, the river and the bridge site. Latitude-longitude measurements of principal topographic features and elevation readings will be taken from a dedicated benchmark. The center line of the road and river high water and present river channel will be mapped at the proposed bridge site as well as two or more stations upstream and downstream of the bridge site. This will be done using hand-held GPS and engineering surveying equipment. An adequate number of cross sections will be developed of the road and river bed at the bridge site. Abundant digital photos will be taken and a log kept of all site related photos.

9 If there is more than one potential bridge site, site mapping will be done at all sites. 5.2 Technical Data Collection Engineering Survey: An important aspect of the assessment trip is to do a detailed engineering survey of the bridge site, showing elevations, benchmarks, and topographical features. (See Site Mapping, above.) An engineering survey work plan is under development. Bridge design measurements: Additional measurements, supplementing the engineering survey, will be taken at the site to record any additional necessary information for subsequent detailed design and construction drawings. Soils data: A number of soil borings will be done at the bridge site using a hand auger, and/or hand dug exploratory holes. At the abutment locations we will be gathering soils data to determine soil density/load bearing capacity. We will also be taking samples of river bed soils for scour analyses. A soils data work plan is under development. If there is more than one potential bridge site, an engineering survey, bridge design measurements, and soils data will be done at all potential sites. Road traffic data. Estimate number, types and weights of vehicles and domestic animals expected to use the bridge. This will be collected from interviewing village officials. River stage data and channel size. Estimate seasonal variations using local information and high water marks. Collect necessary digital photos and detailed notes of discussions with locals. Include high water marks in engineering survey. In-country design standards will be researched before the trip. Also, contacts will be made with appropriate in-country authorities to establish necessary coordination throughout the project. Availability of construction materials. We anticipate a concrete support structure and deck, but are leaving other options open, depending on the availability of materials, such as sand, gravel, cement, re-bar, structural steel, and lumber. Abundant digital photos will be taken and a log kept of all site related photos. Some of the above information can be gathered before the trip through communications with the local NGO and Peace Corps. This information will be confirmed during the trip.

10 5.3 Monitoring and Evaluation Data Work plans are being developed for each of the above data collection items. The specific items in the work plan will be tracked on a daily basis as work is performed and data is collected. Revisions, modifications of the work plan will be made as necessary, and performance tracked, accordingly. 6.0 SCHEDULE OF TASKS Technical Tasks A detailed work plan for the technical work is under development. The following tasks related to Data Collection and Analysis are to be accomplished on the assessment trip and are detailed below: Site Mapping A detailed site map of village will be developed, as described in Section 5 above. Tasks include: o Handheld GPS readings of salient features of the village, road, and stream crossing. Digital photos will be taken and logged at all stations. Estimated work effort: 1 person team: 1 day. o Engineering survey of the road and river crossing. Digital photos taken and logged to adequately supplement the survey data. Estimated work effort: 3 person team: 3 days An adequate number of cross sections will be developed of the road and river bed at the bridge site. Tasks include: o Engineering survey of cross sections. Digital photos. Estimated work effort: 3 person team: 1 day. Abundant digital photos will be taken and a log kept of all site related photos. The work effort for this ongoing task is included in the specific tasks. If there is more than one potential bridge site, site mapping will be done at all sites. Note: This may significantly increase the work load. A decision will need to be made early in the trip whether data will be collected from more

11 than one site, and the work plan modified accordingly. In any event, adequate data is to be collected at the primary site. Technical Data Collection Engineering Survey: (See Site Mapping, above.) Bridge design measurements: Tasks include: o Development of a rough sketch of the potential bridge. Work effort: This will be done before the trip, and modified at the site. o Staking out the centerline, abutments, approaches and other salient features. Work effort: 3 person team: ½ day. o Shooting elevations and taking any additional measurements that would be useful in the design/construction phases. Work effort; 3 person team: ½ day. Soils data: Tasks include: o Collect a number of soil borings at the bridge site using a hand auger, and/or hand dug exploratory holes. Work effort: 2 person team: 3 days o At the abutment locations we will be gathering soils data to determine soil density/load bearing capacity. Work effort 2 person team: 2 days o Take samples of river bed soils for scour analyses. Work effort: 2 person team: 1 day. Road traffic data. Estimate number, types and weights of vehicles and domestic animals expected to use the bridge. This will be collected from interviewing village officials. Work effort: 2 person team: ½ day. Precipitation and river flow data and channel size, estimating seasonal variations using local information and high water marks. A good part of this will be researched before the trip. Local interviews will be in the community: Work effort: 2 people ½ day. (Could be combined with traffic data collection task) In-country design standards will be researched before the trip. Contact with in-country authorities, arranged and scheduled before the trip. Determine availability of construction materials. Research before the trip and confirm on site: Work effort: 1 person: 1.2 day.

12 Abundant digital photos will be taken and a log kept of all site related photos. On going throughout the trip. No specific work assignment. However, daily photos to be reviewed during the evening to assure critical photos taken. Non Technical Tasks Pre-meetings before we arrive in the community: o Meet the Peace Corps volunteer, and if possible his regional director. Determine language issues arrange for translator. Hopefully, the volunteer can be with the team for the duration of the trip and serve as the translator. o Meet with appropriate person from the El Salvador road commission, or equivalent to discuss the project. A contact with this person before the trip is advisable. Familiarity with El Salvador code requirements and typical small road stream crossing designs will be important. o Travel to the site. Transportation should be pre-arranged prior to leaving the U.S. Meet with community officials and representatives of local NGO. Peace Corps volunteer should attend and assist with language translation. This will occur the first day in the community, but should be regular meetings throughout the visit to give updates, report on progress or problems. o Here their perspectives on the project. o Determine level of interest and commitment. o Give overview of EWB understanding and intent of the assessment trip. Walk through the work plan and daily schedule. o Get permission to collect data, take photos, discuss the project with locals, etc. o Determine level of support that will be provided during the assessment trip: number of individuals available on a daily basis to assist the team in all tasks. Note: some tasks may need more help such as digging large hole to examine soils. Lock down permission and level of help and schedule these tasks. o Determine willingness to make material contribution to the project o Discuss prepared Memorandum of Understanding and receive agreement.

13 o Discuss overall program including subsequent actions of the EWB team including fund raising, design, and construction steps. o Schedule wrap up meeting to lay out next steps and who-doeswhat. Living arrangements should be all set before we get there, but will probably take a day to get set up 7.0 PROJECT FEASIBILITY To assess if the project is feasible, the following will be taken into consideration: After the assessment, our chapter will have to determine how much money we will have to raise and if it is possible in a reasonable amount of time. We will assess how far materials are from the bridge site and tentatively plan transportation. Ensure that enough labor is available within the community. 8.0 MENTOR ASSESSMENT The CMU-EWB chapter prepared the pre-assessment form by assigning the various chapters in Part 1 and Part 2 to different members of the team, with coordination by the project lead. The students developed the responses to Part 1, and chapters 1-4 of Part 2. The students worked independently and very effectively in completing all chapters of Part 1 and chapters 1-4 of Part 2. We were fortunate to have the assistance of Chapter President who had the experience of traveling on an EWB assessment trip to Madagascar in I developed the responses to chapters 5, 6 and 8 in communication with the students. I also assembled a team of professionals associated with the EWB Greater Lansing Professional Partners, including a soils engineer, a licensed surveyor, and a bridge design engineer. This professional support team will be working with us throughout the project. Pre-trip training is planned in several areas, with the assistance of the professional team. This training will take place over the next several weeks, and will include hands-on surveying, record keeping, soils sampling, and GPS readings. We are currently researching bridge designs and construction codes applicable to this area of El Salvador, and will be in communication with local officials regarding in-country requirements.