
COLLEGE of ENGINEERING
2018 Bridge: Mallkuchusi, Bolivia
Mallkuchusi is located in the Charana and Calacoto municipalities in the Pacajes province in the La Paz department of Bolivia. Situated in the altiplano (high plains) about six hours southwest of La Paz, Bolivia, the Mallkuchusi community consists of 63 people residing next to the Rio Mallkuchusi.
The bridge spans a total of 93 meters over the Río Mallkuchusi, which in the winter and in the rainy seasons is dangerous to cross due to freezing and flooding. There is currently no other way for the children and elderly to cross the river, as many families live on either side of the river and the school is also located across the river. When the water freezes in the winter, community members have been injured attempting to cross. With completion of this bridge, school children and members of the community (many of whom are elderly) will be able to safely access homes, schools, and grazing lands located on the other side of the river. This is the first bridge NDSEED has built in Bolivia, and due to the complex nature of the site and existing rock conditions, it will be a two-phase project shared between the 2018 and 2019 teams.
The community has been an exceptional partner to the team as it prepares to complete the bridge in the upcoming build season, and it is our hope that the completion of this bridge will increase the safety and prosperity of the community.

Christians Burlotos
Major: Civil Engineering
Class: 2019
Hometown: Richfield, OH
Role: Project Manager

Alex Bonino
Major: Civil Engineering
Class: 2019
Hometown: Wyomissing, PA
Role: Construction Manager

Meg Tucker
Major: Civil Engineering
Class: 2018
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Role: Bridge Engineer

Annalie Nagel
Major: Civil Engineering
Class: 2019
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
Role: Quality Control Engineer

Patrick Yerkes
Major: Mechanical Engineering & Theology
Class: 2018
Hometown: River Forest, IL
Role: Business Manager

Kaci Heneghan
Major: Environmental Engineering
Class: 2019
Hometown: Long Island
Role: Research Lead

Maggie Schwarz
Major: Civil Engineering
Class: 2020
Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL
Role: VCA

Camila Gonzalez Flores
Major: Civil Engineering
Class: 2020
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Role: Community Engagement Lead

Elisa Benitez
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2018
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rica
Role: Safety Manager

Annelise Gill-Wiehl
Major: Environmental Engineering and International Development Studies
Class: 2019
Hometown: St. Louis
Role: VCA

Sebastian Encheandia
Major: Mechanical Engineering & Physics
Class: 2019
Hometown: Villahermosa, Mexico
Role: VCA

Andrea Oviedo
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2018
Hometown: Managua, Nicaragua
Role: In-Country Partnership Coordinator

Brittany Margritz
Major: Civil Engineering
Class: 2019
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Role: VCA

Gonzalo Mallea
Major: Civil Engineering
Class: 2019
Hometown: La Paz, Bolivia
Role: Bolivia Advisor