The Region
Segunda Kayarani is one of many communities within the municipality of Colomi in Bolivia. The community is situated at an altitude of nearly 11,000 feet above sea level. The rural project site is located in a valley adjacent to the Corani Lake, surrounded by mountains. Community members make a living primarily through agriculture, with varieties of the potato as one of their most profitable crops.
The community of Kayarani consists of roughly 200 members, including adults and children. The community is self-sufficient with families raising livestock such as sheep, chicken, pigs, cows, ducks and geese, farming trout and growing a variety of crops, including potatoes, beans and oats. The people are very traditional and regularly hold ceremonial activities to recognize special events.
The Project
Ten volunteers across Michael Baker’s geographies and practices traveled to Bolivia to complete the construction of a 128-foot-long suspension footbridge in Kayarani. Our team worked for seven days to construct the bridge. During this time, we experienced long days of arduous yet rewarding work. At the onset of construction, we faced one of our first challenges: an oversized boulder inside the south abutment. We worked together with limited construction tools to devise a solution to ensure that the bridge cable would not rest atop this boulder, potentially creating slack in the support. We resolved to chip away at the boulder until sufficient space was created between the rock and the cable. This is just one example of how our team overcame construction challenges to complete the construction of the bridge on time.
Community members were a huge help throughout the entire construction process. From moving thousands of rocks to fill the abutments to mixing concrete to cover the abutments, the community volunteered their time and energy to make the vision of a bridge a reality.
Our Impact
One of the driving forces that expedited the construction of the bridge was to ensure safe means of transportation for students traveling to and from school. Earlier in 2018, a five-year-old girl was tragically killed while walking to school. As the river had swelled during the rainy season, she used the narrow shoulder of the highway bridge as an alternate route to get to school. Unfortunately, she was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Residents’ gratitude and appreciation at the bridge inauguration ceremony emphasized the importance of establishing a connection that will allow both adults and children to travel safely year-round, even in adverse weather conditions.
Our team also visited students at their school and spoke to them about a career in engineering. This inspired the students to dream big, with some of the students expressing their desire to become engineers when they grew up. Our deep connection with the community of Kayarani and the bridge that we built together will create a secure path to bright futures.
Rick Strickland is a transportation project manager. He also manages Michael’s Alpharetta, Ga., office. He oversees Michael Baker’s services for the Georgia Department of Transportation’s $11 billion Major Mobility Investment Program.
Rick grew up in Mesa, Ariz., and attended Arizona State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Outside of work, he can usually be found with his wife and three children on a soccer field somewhere in Georgia.
Why was this a meaningful experience for you?
“I became a civil engineer to have a positive impact on society. However, since I live and work in a large metropolitan area with well-developed infrastructure, the impact that I make on my community every day is nominal at best. The impact that we have had on the community of Kayarani has the potential to change lives. Helping to bring this bridge to Kayarani is one of the most satisfying achievements of my career.”
Eric Edge is a surface water civil engineer in Michael Baker’s Carlsbad, Calif., office. Eric has four years of experience conducting urban and rural drainage analysis, modeling and design.
Eric received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the California State University Long Beach. He enjoys sports, traveling and spending time outdoors.
How did we make a difference in Kayarani, Bolivia?
“We were able to demonstrate what powerful minds, dedication and a diverse team can accomplish in just two weeks. More than providing safe pedestrian access, the new bridge opens a world of opportunity for this community.”
Brian Seymour is a maritime archaeologist in Michael Baker’s Moon Township, Pa. office. Brian has been with the company for nearly seven years. He is experienced in conducting archaeological surveys throughout the continental United States, as well as off-shore and international locations.
Brian received a Master of Science degree in Maritime Archaeology from the University of Southampton in the UK. He enjoys spending his free time with his dog, either on the trails or on the water.
What is your personal take away from this trip?
“I am humbled to be part of a team that inspired a number of young children to have a more secure future, open to possibilities, by constructing a much-needed footbridge for the community.”
Jennifer Evans is a transportation project engineer in Michael Baker’s Dallas, Texas office. Jennifer is nearing her one-year anniversary with the company. Though she focused on structural engineering at Florida State University, she made the switch to transportation in the last couple years, eager to broaden her work experience.
Jennifer enjoys spending her free time traveling, learning, experiencing new things, using her hands to create and helping others. Her favorite activities include visiting new places, exploring art museums and helping her friends build tiny houses.
What is your personal take away from this trip?
“First, be thankful for the people in my life. Second, be open to new opportunities, adventures and people. Third, always be ready to help others.”
Alexandra Taylor is an architectural designer and sustainability specialist in Michael Baker’s Alexandria, Va., office. A Maryland native, Alexandra has been in the design profession for five years and is currently working to obtain her Architecture License.
Alexandra is actively involved in her local community. She participates in a variety of volunteer projects, including Architecture in the Schools, CANstruction and Cosmo Couture. She also serves as a dance choreographer for the dance ministry at her church. Alexandra loves spending time with family and friends, exploring new cultures and learning new things. She currently serves as Chaplain of the Fort Washington chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Why was this a meaningful experience for you?
“Witnessing the joy of the local community for a bridge that I would ordinarily take for granted was extremely touching. Their gratitude for such a minimalistic lifestyle gave me a new perspective and appreciation for all that I have.”
Riley Conley is a GIT associate in Michael Baker’s Salt Lake City, Utah office. He has been with the company for three years.
Originally from Washington, D.C., Riley attended the University of Utah where he studied geography and environmental science. In his free time, you can find find him outside hiking, mountain biking, skiing or paragliding.
How did we make a difference in Kayarani?
"This experience gave me a chance to see what types of issues a community in this area faces when it comes to accessibility. This project will have an enormous impact and help the community continue to develop and grow for years to come.”
Ethan Miller is a structural associate in Michael Baker’s Virginia Beach, Va., office. He works on various bridge projects, with a primary focus on bridge design and load rating. He has worked on projects for various departments of transportation and municipalities across the country.
Ethan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University. He is currently working toward the completion of a Master of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors, camping and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Why was this a meaningful experience for you?
“It was extremely meaningful to have a hands-on role in improving the lives of the people in Kayarani. Not only did we build a footbridge for the locals, but we also had the opportunity to share our passion for engineering with a group of elementary students. Helping encourage them to pursue their dreams was an incredible opportunity.”
Christina Stege is a GIS associate in Michael Baker’s Santa Ana, Calif., office. She has three years of experience designing maps and web mapping applications, spatial analysis and data management.
Christina received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences from the California State University, Monterey Bay. She is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys sailing, paddle boarding and hiking.
How did we collaborate with B2P and the locals to complete the bridge?
“The teamwork was incredible. Even though we spoke different languages, everyone came together to construct a beautiful bridge that will be used as a vital pathway for children to attend school.”
Jillena Yeager is a GIT analyst in Michael Baker’s Hamilton, N.J., office. She has been with the company for more than three years and works primarily on database maintenance and development and analysis of transportation and pavement-related data for the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and other agencies.
When she’s not in the office, you can usually find Jillena backpacking the Appalachian Trail or working on her Catskill 3500’ peaks.
Why was this a meaningful experience for you?
“This was my first true international traveling experience, and I am proud that it was one where I was able to help make a difference in the lives of others. It was inspiring to see our group of engineers, having never met before, come together so quickly to work toward a common goal.”
Rick Strickland is a transportation project manager. He also manages Michael’s Alpharetta, Ga., office. He oversees Michael Baker’s services for the Georgia Department of Transportation’s $11 billion Major Mobility Investment Program.
Rick grew up in Mesa, Ariz., and attended Arizona State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Outside of work, he can usually be found with his wife and three children on a soccer field somewhere in Georgia.
Why was this a meaningful experience for you?
“I became a civil engineer to have a positive impact on society. However, since I live and work in a large metropolitan area with well-developed infrastructure, the impact that I make on my community every day is nominal at best. The impact that we have had on the community of Kayarani has the potential to change lives. Helping to bring this bridge to Kayarani is one of the most satisfying achievements of my career.”
Eric Edge is a surface water civil engineer in Michael Baker’s Carlsbad, Calif., office. Eric has four years of experience conducting urban and rural drainage analysis, modeling and design.
Eric received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the California State University Long Beach. He enjoys sports, traveling and spending time outdoors.
How did we make a difference in Kayarani, Bolivia?
“We were able to demonstrate what powerful minds, dedication and a diverse team can accomplish in just two weeks. More than providing safe pedestrian access, the new bridge opens a world of opportunity for this community.”
Brian Seymour is a maritime archaeologist in Michael Baker’s Moon Township, Pa. office. Brian has been with the company for nearly seven years. He is experienced in conducting archaeological surveys throughout the continental United States, as well as off-shore and international locations.
Brian received a Master of Science degree in Maritime Archaeology from the University of Southampton in the UK. He enjoys spending his free time with his dog, either on the trails or on the water.
What is your personal take away from this trip?
“I am humbled to be part of a team that inspired a number of young children to have a more secure future, open to possibilities, by constructing a much-needed footbridge for the community.”
Jennifer Evans is a transportation project engineer in Michael Baker’s Dallas, Texas office. Jennifer is nearing her one-year anniversary with the company. Though she focused on structural engineering at Florida State University, she made the switch to transportation in the last couple years, eager to broaden her work experience.
Jennifer enjoys spending her free time traveling, learning, experiencing new things, using her hands to create and helping others. Her favorite activities include visiting new places, exploring art museums and helping her friends build tiny houses.
What is your personal take away from this trip?
“First, be thankful for the people in my life. Second, be open to new opportunities, adventures and people. Third, always be ready to help others.”
Alexandra Taylor is an architectural designer and sustainability specialist in Michael Baker’s Alexandria, Va., office. A Maryland native, Alexandra has been in the design profession for five years and is currently working to obtain her Architecture License.
Alexandra is actively involved in her local community. She participates in a variety of volunteer projects, including Architecture in the Schools, CANstruction and Cosmo Couture. She also serves as a dance choreographer for the dance ministry at her church. Alexandra loves spending time with family and friends, exploring new cultures and learning new things. She currently serves as Chaplain of the Fort Washington chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Why was this a meaningful experience for you?
“Witnessing the joy of the local community for a bridge that I would ordinarily take for granted was extremely touching. Their gratitude for such a minimalistic lifestyle gave me a new perspective and appreciation for all that I have.”
Riley Conley is a GIT associate in Michael Baker’s Salt Lake City, Utah office. He has been with the company for three years.
Originally from Washington, D.C., Riley attended the University of Utah where he studied geography and environmental science. In his free time, you can find find him outside hiking, mountain biking, skiing or paragliding.
How did we make a difference in Kayarani?
"This experience gave me a chance to see what types of issues a community in this area faces when it comes to accessibility. This project will have an enormous impact and help the community continue to develop and grow for years to come.”
Ethan Miller is a structural associate in Michael Baker’s Virginia Beach, Va., office. He works on various bridge projects, with a primary focus on bridge design and load rating. He has worked on projects for various departments of transportation and municipalities across the country.
Ethan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University. He is currently working toward the completion of a Master of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors, camping and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Why was this a meaningful experience for you?
“It was extremely meaningful to have a hands-on role in improving the lives of the people in Kayarani. Not only did we build a footbridge for the locals, but we also had the opportunity to share our passion for engineering with a group of elementary students. Helping encourage them to pursue their dreams was an incredible opportunity.”
Christina Stege is a GIS associate in Michael Baker’s Santa Ana, Calif., office. She has three years of experience designing maps and web mapping applications, spatial analysis and data management.
Christina received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences from the California State University, Monterey Bay. She is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys sailing, paddle boarding and hiking.
How did we collaborate with B2P and the locals to complete the bridge?
“The teamwork was incredible. Even though we spoke different languages, everyone came together to construct a beautiful bridge that will be used as a vital pathway for children to attend school.”
Jillena Yeager is a GIT analyst in Michael Baker’s Hamilton, N.J., office. She has been with the company for more than three years and works primarily on database maintenance and development and analysis of transportation and pavement-related data for the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and other agencies.
When she’s not in the office, you can usually find Jillena backpacking the Appalachian Trail or working on her Catskill 3500’ peaks.
Why was this a meaningful experience for you?
“This was my first true international traveling experience, and I am proud that it was one where I was able to help make a difference in the lives of others. It was inspiring to see our group of engineers, having never met before, come together so quickly to work toward a common goal.”
