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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.

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Christians Burlotos

Major: Civil Engineering

Class: 2019

Hometown: Richfield, OH

Role: Project Manager

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Alex Bonino

Major: Civil Engineering 

Class: 2019

Hometown: Wyomissing, PA

Role: Construction Manager

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Meg Tucker

Major: Civil Engineering

Class: 2018

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Role: Bridge Engineer

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Annalie Nagel

Major: Civil Engineering

Class: 2019

Hometown: Fort Collins, CO

Role: Quality Control Engineer

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Patrick Yerkes

Major: Mechanical Engineering & Theology

Class: 2018

Hometown: River Forest, IL

Role: Business Manager

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Kaci Heneghan

Major: Environmental Engineering

Class: 2019

Hometown: Long Island

Role: Research Lead

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Maggie Schwarz

Major: Civil Engineering

Class: 2020

Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL

Role: VCA

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Camila Gonzalez Flores

Major: Civil Engineering

Class: 2020

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Role: Community Engagement Lead

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Elisa Benitez

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Class: 2018

Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rica

Role: Safety Manager

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Annelise Gill-Wiehl

Major: Environmental Engineering and International Development Studies

Class: 2019

Hometown: St. Louis

Role: VCA 

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Sebastian Encheandia

Major: Mechanical Engineering & Physics

Class: 2019

Hometown: Villahermosa, Mexico

Role: VCA

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Andrea Oviedo

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Class: 2018

Hometown: Managua, Nicaragua

Role: In-Country Partnership Coordinator

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Brittany Margritz

Major: Civil Engineering

Class: 2019

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Role: VCA

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Gonzalo Mallea

Major: Civil Engineering

Class: 2019

Hometown: La Paz, Bolivia

Role: Bolivia Advisor

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Notre Dame Students Empowering through Engineering Development (NDSEED) was formed in 2008 when six civil engineering students decided to combine their academic interests with their passion for service in support of their university’s mission. Today, their vision still lives on: NDSEED has worked on 12 bridges in 4 countries under the leadership of 116 Notre Dame students.

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Copyright © 2019 University of Notre Dame

NDSEED 156 Fitzpatrick Hall

Notre Dame, IN 46556

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