Since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, its residents have been waiting for life to return to normal. However, with its infrastructure severely damaged by the storm, a normal way of life is all but impossible. That’s where U.S. Bridge comes in. They are working on the ground to combat Puerto Rico hurricane damage by rebuilding bridges in four affected areas.

Reestablishing Connection

Hurricane Maria caused massive mudslides, trapping some people in their homes for days and weeks following the storm. These mudslides also led to bridges collapsing. This made it impossible for people to access basic necessities like food and water. Roadways that were once traversed daily were now impassable. U.S. Bridge, started at the end of 2017, and is in the process of finishing in March of 2018. Some of the first rebuilding efforts are focused on affected areas like Utuado.

Reconnecting Remote Areas

Puerto Rico hurricane damage greatly impacted remote areas of the island in these regions, such as Juana Diaz, Utuado, Moca, and San Lorenzo, Morovis. In total, more than 100 of the bridges in Puerto Rico were damaged, and 18 have closed. Without these bridges, residents in remote areas are stranded. Residents are only able to get food and water through pure ingenuity. For example, residents in Rio Abajo, who are now completely cut off from supplies, have rigged a pulley system to get supplies across the river. Due to U.S. Bridge’s quick turn around time, they immediately engineered, manufactured and shipped their Liberty Series bridges to these communities. They are being built as this article is being written! Tactically, U.S. Bridge is connecting one part of the island to another.This will bring hope back to  the area and hasten the flow of supplies that residents so desperately need.

Working Together for Everyone

U.S. Bridge is proud to be one of the many companies working diligently to combat Puerto Rico hurricane damage. Crowley is another great company that is helping transport major components of the Liberty Series bridges across the region. Federal organizations like FEMA and FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) have also backed and supported the recovery effort in Puerto Rico. 47 containers are being transported. These containers weigh in at around 800 metric tons of steel. In total, more than 880 feet of bridge will be built. U.S. Bridge is confident that citizens will regain a semblance of normalcy. These four bridges are being constructed in some of the hardest hit areas of this beautiful island. The work in Puerto Rico has just begun. Collaborative efforts like this are a perfect way to push the rebuilding movement forward.

These amazing contractors should be applauded for their work on these projects:

• Desarrolladora J.A., Inc.
• Del Valle Group
• Constructora Hartmann, SE

Liberty for Puerto Ricans

Local news in Puerto Rico is starting to see the benefit of what U.S. Bridge and their partners are doing. Below is a story from Wapa.tv on the Utuado bridge and local residents’ reaction.

 

An Engineering Leader Helping Puerto Rico Hurricane Damage

For over 80 years, U.S. Bridge has been a leader in bridge design and manufacturing throughout the world. Our team of engineers works with local and state governments, businesses, and other organizations to reinforce and stabilize bridges across the country. The CEO of U.S. Bridge, Dan Rogovin and COO, Rajat Shah, have been in Puerto Rico, assessing progress and lending their support.

Todd Carpenter, Bridge Superintendent at U.S. Bridge, has been in the country overseeing the work, and said, “the collaborative effort from, the contractors, the U.S. Government, and the people of Puerto Rico, has made this an extremely fulfilling project. Knowing that our bridges are being used for connecting communities that were shattered, is something I’ll never forget. And these communities will use these bridges for generations to come.”

For more details regarding the work U.S. Bridge is doing in Puerto Rico, please click here. Also, make sure to follow U.S. Bridge’s social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and Linkedin) for the ongoing work in Puerto Rico. For more information about U.S. Bridge, we encourage you to contact us today.