Was this bridge destroyed by the Israelis?

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8238/img0002ks3.jpg

^^Yes, the right part of the bridge is completely on the ground

There's your answer for that, it was the tallest bridge in the MEA!

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9766/2182390235a4194aa67bwn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ That's nasty, how tall is it?

....Middle East Airlines ?????????

^^in the middle east Jayme

....Middle East Airlines ?????????
:D :D :D ................ cute!!!!!
No offence Jayme
- I would say the "Middle East Area" ;)

the italian government will rebuild this bridge.

There's your answer for that, it was the tallest bridge in the MEA!

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9766/2182390235a4194aa67bwn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



i just found an articel about the future of this bridge.


Highest bridge destroyed by Israel to be rebuilt by USA
Saturday, 28 October, 2006 @ 2:00 AM


Beirut- US State Department Director of Foreign Assistance Randall L. Tobias said during a visit to Lebanon that the US will pay to rebuild the Mdairej bridge, which was damaged by Israeli warplanes during the war.
This is the highest bridge in the Middle East.


Many in Lebanon questioned the bombing of this bridge , since it was far from any Hezbollah bases or any war related activity.

The 70 meter (230 ft) high bridge, near the mountain resort town of Sofar on the mountainous road linking Beirut and Damascus, was hit several times during the first days of the war but on July 21 a 200-metre-long section was completely destroyed as it was bombarded continuously.


Tobias said work on the bridge is a real proof that US pledges of assistance "amount to more than just words."

Tobias is also the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which will pay for the repairs, estimated around $20 million . The funds will come out of the $230 million aid package pledged by the United States for rebuilding Lebanon

The bridge was completed in 1998 and inaugurated by former prime minister Rafiq Hariri, who was assassinated on February 14, 2005. this bridge was the pride of Lebanon. The bridge was built by the Italian company Toto at a cost of $44 million.

Over 80 bridges were destroyed during the war by Israel. Lebanese individuals and foreign countries have pledged to restore the bridges.

Many of the roads were also wiped completely out. The entire infrastructure of the country was left in ruins as a result of the war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The UN estimates the damage to Lebanon is in excess of $15 billion as a result of the war.

Source: Agencies, Ya Libnan

^^ This is great news. I'm sure it will help the American image in Lebanon and serve as a deterrent against future attacks by Israel (Israelis would never destroy something rebuilt by the U.S.)

^^ That's nasty, how tall is it?


70 meters (230 ft).

server as a deterrent against future attacks by Israel (Israelis would never destroy something rebuilt by the U.S.)

That definitely won't stop them from destroying it again. It hasn't stopped them in the past.

Wow, I started this thread. :) :jk:

Bungee(Bungy) Jumping anybody??????????? ;)

تحدياً لآثار العدوان الإسرائيلي ورغبة في الحياة

إطلاق مهرجان "قفزة الفينيق" من على جسر المديرج المدمّر

المستقبل - الاربعاء 1 تشرين الثاني 2006 - العدد 2432 - رياضة - صفحة

سامر الحلبي

عقد مدير شركة "ستيبس بروداكشن" جو نجيم ومدير نادي "كلوب ترميك" رجا سعادة، أمس، مؤتمرا صحافيا في نادي الصحافة أعلنا خلاله إطلاق مهرجان "قفزة الفينيق"، ما بين 2 و5 تشرين الثاني الجاري.
بداية تكلم يوسف الحويك مدير نادي الصحافة فشدد على ضرورة اقامة مهرجانات رياضية وثقافية بعد الحرب مباشرة "ليثبت اللبنانيون انهم جديرون بالحياة، وما اختيار جسر المديرج المدمر لاقامة نشاط رياضي لافت الا تأكيد على انبعاث طائر الفينيق من تحت الرماد بكل ما تحمل الكلمة من معانٍ".
ثم تحدث نجيم عن المهرجان، معتبرا أنه يتلخص بالقيام بـ"ويك أند" رياضي من خلال تنظيم انشطة تتضمن القفز من فوق جسر المديرج ـ ضهر البيدر المدمر بالحبل المطاطي، الطيران الشراعي، الطيران بالبالون الحراري إلى بعض الانشطة الرياضية الأخرى. وقال: "كان مقررا ان ينطلق اليوم الاربعاء ولكن تم تأجيله بسبب رداءة الاحوال الجوية، وهو سيشهد حضور بعض السياسيين والوجوه الفنية والاجتماعية البارزة" من دون ان يسميها. وأكد نجيم أن هذا العمل يهدف الى تحدي العدوان والدمار ويساهم في رفع معنويات اللبنانيين واعادة الحياة الى بعض القطاعات، مشيرآً إلى أن بعض الفاعليات ستشارك فيه.
ولفت الى أن فرقة من المجوقل في الجيش اللبناني ستشارك في 4 و5 تشرين الثاني، إلى جانب فرق من الدفاع المدني والصليب الاحمر ومشاركين من فرنسا وبلغاريا وقوات "اليونيفيل" العاملة في لبنان؛ وأضاف ان هناك باصات صغيرة ستتولى نقل المشاركين الى مكان الحدث إذ على الناس العاديين الراغبين في مشاهدة الحدث التواجد في اماكن محددة. وشكر نجيم في نهاية كلمته قائد الجيش العماد ميشال سليمان والدفاع المدني برئاسة العميد الطيار درويش حبيقة.
كذلك، تحدث رجا سعاده مدير نادي "كلوب ترميك" فأشار الى أن الانطلاق سيكون من أعالي حمانا وسيبدأ المهرجان صباح الخميس 2 تشرين الثاني ويمتد حتى مساء الاحد 5 منه. وتبدأ أحداث المهرجان الساعة الثامنة صباحا وقد تمتد حتى ساعات متأخرة من الليل، وقد تم تجهيز المكان بالاضواء الكاشفة. وتطرق سعادة، في سياق كلمته، الى تقنيات هذه الرياضة التي "قد يظن بعضهم انها خطرة ومخيفة وتحتاج الى قلب قوي لكن العكس هو الصحيح، فالخائف بامكانه الطيران اذا ما اجتاز الحاجز النفسي فعندها سيتعلق بالطيران ويحدوه الامل الدائم ان يكرر المحاولة كلما سنحت له الظروف". وللراغبين في المشاركة بالمهرجان الاتصال بالرقم: 799291 ـ 03.

what is it in English

Here are some pics of people bungee jumping off the destroyed bridge!

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20061103/i/r416123098.jpg?x=380&y=270&sig=G9lUI8Q9SecAp7vBprF4Yg--

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20061103/i/r3258784632.jpg?x=240&y=345&sig=CBxFZ1.1c.XBxKWFVGa.BQ--
REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON)



Why now???

I love Lebanese people... always making the best of the situation!

Cool,yes ;) this is the lebanese spirit :)

^^Kind of sad at the same time...

I have been on that bridge so many times, the last time in June and it makes me really really sad and really really angry whenever I see the bridge after the war. :(

My uncle lives in the valley right below the bridge, Hammana.

OMG lets start a thread about hammana .. we used to summer there and its GORGEOUS!!! do u have any pix?

do u have any pix?

I actually do. Let me try to find them. I took a few photos from my uncle's villa.

http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/dc64c06a654835c2c225721c00257be8/Body/0.82?OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=jpg

AFP photo shows a Lebanese man performing a bungee jump from the Mdeirej bridge, east of Beirut, which was badly damaged during Israel's July-August offensive on Lebanon. Steps Productions that is sponsoring "The Flight of the Phoenix 2006" said in a statement that the event was to "defy fear, war, defeat, destruction and oppression." The Mdeirej Bridge is the highest in the Middle East.

^^ STUPID MAN ... STUPID STUPID MAN!!!! im gonna laugh when one of them idiots goes splat!!!

^^ :eek: nice avatar LebGurl!

wow, Americans taxpayers are going to pay to fix Israels war crimes?:bash:

^^ :eek: nice avatar LebGurl!

thank u ... it only took me 2 weeks to resize it, but it was worth it

and Hosain, why u so upset? its ok that they pay for the missiles, but not for the rebuilding?

not upset, it's just that Israel should pay to rebuild, not the Americans....

if Israel were forced to pay for its crimes it would be less likely to commit them thats all I'm saying

and if israel paid for its rockets, it would be less likely to use them ... besides, there would be a lot more pissed off ppl on both sides of the border if israel was paying for it

:tongue3: thats what i just said ^^

did u say it in writing or out loud? :P jk, I must've misunderstood

I wanna DO the BUNGEE JUMPING :(

U.S. awards contract for rebuilding largest bridge in Lebanon
Thursday, 1 March, 2007 @ 5:17 AM


Beirut & Washington - The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and in conjunction with the Government of Lebanon, announced the start of reconstruction


on the Mudeirej Bridge in the Sofar - Mudeirej region of Lebanon. At over 225 feet high and almost 1,600 feet long, the two-span Mudeirej Bridge is the largest bridge in Lebanon and among the tallest in the Middle East region.

This reconstruction effort will restore one of Lebanon's most important commercial links between Beirut and Chtoura, toward Lebanon's eastern border, and will stimulate trade and economic growth essential for Lebanon's financial recovery. Construction of the $30 million project was given to Contrack International, a U.S. based company, with Lebanese/American management. Contrack International will utilize three Lebanese firms which will employ approximately 150 Lebanese for the design and construction work of the project. Construction on the bridge began earlier this week.

"This immense reconstruction project will not only fill a transportation gap vital to Lebanon's long-term growth," states Raouf Youssef, USAID's Mission Director in Beirut, "but will also promote immediate economic opportunities in the country in the form of many jobs."

This project is being funded as part of the more than $230 million for humanitarian, reconstruction and security assistance to Lebanon announced by President Bush on August 21, 2006. In order to further support the aspirations of the Lebanese people for continued peace, stability, and prosperity, President Bush has requested an additional $770 million for a proposed comprehensive economic and security assistance package for Lebanon valued at more than $1 billion.

For more information and photos on the U.S. Government's assistance to Lebanon and the region, please visit USAID's website
.

SOURCE: USAID

:ohno:...
yet again...

^^ what do u mean, this is good, this bridge is important for Lebanon's economy

yea i agree with that, just, not by the way that USA is trying to change their image...
they contributed a great deal to the war, and probabaly were involved with the damage caused to this bridge...
and NOW they want to act all innocent and be like the 'good guy' and help promote development...?
i dont understand WHY they are doing this, and WHY people are bing fololed?

^^ I dont care, just build the damn bridge whoever it may be and ill be happy lol

LOL
otttaayyy

Gr8 NEWS :)

this is good news ... however i wish they change the design a bit make it look more modern considering its the biggest in Lebanon...

modern how???

lets paint it gold and sliver with red stripes !

^^ EXCELLENT idea like San Francisco's hehe

ideas are endless when it comes to bridges, imagine havin a famous bridge in lebanon spoken about all over the world ... the old style was ur ordinary cement slabs over slabs etc ... new times new bridges

ورشة تمهيدية لترميم جسر المديرج

"كونتراك" الأميركية مع 3 شركات لبنانية

تنفّذ الأعمال بـ 30 مليون دولار



المستقبل - الخميس 8 آذار 2007 - العدد 2551 - المستقبل الإقتصادي - صفحة 12

http://www.almustaqbal.com/issues/images/2551/C6-N2.jpg

المديرج ـ " المستقبل "

لا تزال الأعمال قائمة في جسر المديرج، وتتركز الآن على دراسة الآثار الناجمة من القصف الإسرائيلي، الذي طاوله خلال العدوان الأخير على لبنان، ومعرفة مدى قدرة الأعمدة على التحمل. وتتولى هذه المهمة شركة خاصة تعمل لأخذ عينات من الأعمدة المتبقية ومن التربة التي تحيط بها على اعماق متفاوتة، بالاضافة الى شرائح من الجسر، ليصار إلى دراستها في المختبرات ومعرفة مدى صلاحيتها، وهي المرحلة التمهيدية التي على أساسها سيتم تحديد الأعمدة التي يجب هدمها ليعاد بناؤها، والاخرى المتينة والصالحة لإبقائها وترميمها.
وتأتي هذه المرحلة عقب انتهاء أعمال التنظيف وإزالة الردميات والأجزاء المهدمة من الجسر بالكامل، والتي أشرف على تنفيذها مجلس الانماء والاعمار بالتعاون مع شركة خطيب وعلمي.
ووزعت السفارة الاميركية في بيروت بيانا امس اعلنت فيه "ان الحكومة الأميركية باشرت، من خلال الوكالة الأميركية للتنمية الدولية، بالتعاون مع الحكومة اللبنانية، بعملية إعادة بناء جسر المديرج".
وقال بيان للسفارة انه تمت ترسية عقد إعادة البناء الذي تبلغ قيمته 30 مليون دولار إلى الشركة الأميركية "كونتراك إنترناشيونال" التي ستعمل مع ثلاث شركات لبنانية يعمل فيها 150 موظفا لبنانيا في مرحلتي التصميم والبناء في المشروع.
ووصل فريق عمل "كونتراك إنترناشيونال" إلى لبنان، وأنشأ مكاتب بالقرب من موقع الجسر.
وقد بدأت أعمال التصميم. وسوف تنفَّذ أعمال الترميم المناسبة للأرضية الشمالية للجسر بحلول منتصف آذار ( مارس )الحالي. وتشمل المرحلة الأولى من المشروع تشييد جسر موقت إلى أن تستكمل أعمال إعادة البناء

Any new information on the progress of this?

NOVEMBER 2007

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd61/beirutguy/pont.jpg

did u say it in writing or out loud? :P jk, I must've misunderstood

Lebgurl, please clear some of ur PM space...

December 30 2007

courtesy of SF Emperor

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2155425242_075f914863_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/2154630861_e6781d1fec_b.jpg

Wow great pics...it looks like they added a support column and closed the gap more..or maybe it sthe angle...ooks like they just need that middle peice

December 26 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2190601916_294713215e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2190607196_f8f360bb8b_b.jpg

Looks like they havent done anything

^^ well at least there starting to

I would think it would be a priorty..maybe they need to make sure the structural componets are ok..but its been 1.5 years already..And they havent even moved the debris??

yeh maybe ur right, all other briges are done (almost)

I heard it won't be before 2010 before this bridge is repaired. The damage is very extensive and it will also be very costly to rebuild the destroyed segments.

^^ But the U.S. has completely funded this particular reconstruction, right?

^^ But the U.S. has completely funded this particular reconstruction, right?

They might have committed to funding its reconstruction, but that doesn't mean all the money will come in at once, especially since it is going to be a very hefty sum.

Even if they committed to funding its reconstruction, it doesn't mean they actually have given any money yet. A lot of countries that have committed funding for the reconstruction of Lebanon still haven't lived up to their commitments or barely have so far. And this doesn't just apply to reconstruction of infrastructure, but aid to the Lebanese Army as well.

You have to keep in mind that all these commitments are voluntary. They aren't obliged to give anything. They can say something and do something else. That's politics for you.

^^ i dont think so, they r obliged by their credibility and honesty around the world
i mean the money will come sooner or later maybe in a better political situation

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9508/23993390dg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

why were all the columns in the back detonated completely? I know there was structural damage and they had to blow some up, but I thought the columns were fine and the damage was just to the road part

^^I'm sure they know what they r doing :D

this bridge is taking forever! we should get some of those Dubai worker lol...they could build the entire thing from scratch in a year i'm sure!

my two cents on the slow pace of work:

The americans don't want to pay for it's construction for now knowing that they might have to destroy it again very soon :ohno:
Lets hope nothing bad happens, but those ships and all those people pulling out of Lebanon is not so much of a good sign...

According to the USAID website expected completion is May 2009. It IS under construction. You can read about the project at :

http://www.usaid.gov/locations/middle_east/countries/lebanon/

and an analysis from aug 2007 :

http://dec.usaid.gov/index.cfm?p=search.getSQLResults&q_descrgeo=Lebanon

31 December 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2376/2192796157_370b3e5eb0_b.jpg

Courtesy of dshaffer - April 2008

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd61/beirutguy/bridge.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd61/beirutguy/2664152600074583800AvoQFd_fs.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd61/beirutguy/mnt.jpg

^^i understand why it takes so long,it's HUGE and it needs a slow work.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/2443846436_544ba123a2_o.jpg

May 25 2008

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2521107433_cf727395fd_o.jpg

^^ lol that should go in the only in lebanon thread as well :lol:

^^:lol: Yes :D

But i donnu where that thread went :D

YES WE CAN,,,,YES WE CAN :D

May 30th 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2536321446_25b62e2cc2_o.jpg

June 15 2008

courtesy of gerardsfeila

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8469/2587125521a01b52baa5bkx0.jpg

Work seems to be moving along now..the other spans support are growing

June 19 2008

Courtesy of Mahawe

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2598511021_4562612586_o.jpg

These were from the USAID website from March..Altho a couple months old from previous posts it explains whats going on:

The North Bridge with the damaged center span removed, and the bottom sections of the South Bridge columns which remained and could be salvaged after implosion of the damaged bridge sections above :
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb2/Htlebmn/03-4-2008-001-resized.jpg

Scaffolding being erected at North Bridge Pier 5 in preparation for the repair of damaged concrete. The piers are 210 feet high.:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb2/Htlebmn/03-6-200820061_resized.jpg

Steel reinforcement being installed above the bottom section of South Bridge Pier 8 in preparation for concrete casting:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb2/Htlebmn/03-8-2008-013-resized.jpg

Casting concrete at South Bridge Pier 8.:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb2/Htlebmn/03-8-2008-032-resized.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/1123/DSC02358.jpg

I took these pics two days ago (Aug. 7, 2008):

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/DSCF1710b.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/DSCF1712b.jpg

Definatly some progress

Till this moment, this bridge was never rebuilt!
even it look that they are working on it!

On TV today it's mentioned that works on this bridge scheduled to end in August 2009.

Another year? geez its like building the whole thing over again

august 10, 2008
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/8084/p1030570lp8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4116/p1030571cf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

why do people just throw there trash like that?

Are they doing a go slow on the reconstruction of this bridge? How can it possibly take so long? Could the Americans possibly be delaying it on purpose?

The damage was extensive. I believe it suffered six air strikes.

martijnmunneke

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb2/Htlebmn/martijnmunneke.jpg

I see no change between posts #82 & 86
were they taken in the same period? or are they that slow!!!

p.s. does anyone else think the title of the thread should be "highest in the Middle East" and not "tallest"

tall=high =/= long

Bad time to fix the bridge if what this article states is true:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=97247

actualy look at the tops of the columns looks completed now

Bad time to fix the bridge if what this article states is true:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=97247

This is practically an American bridge now, they would never bomb it.

^^Israel will bomb whatever it wants. It does not matter who's financing the bridge's reconstruction, it's still owned by the state of Lebanon as it always has been. The US provided the funds to finance its reconstruction as part of its USAID program which has no effect on ownership. No transfer of ownership was involved whatsoever.

^^ Obviously, but politically speaking I assure you the US wont allow anything to happen to the bridge.

^^ PLEASE :crazy:

^^ Obviously, but politically speaking I assure you the US wont allow anything to happen to the bridge.

Just like the US didn't allow anything happen to Lebanon back in summer 2006, right? :|

^^ Obviously, but politically speaking I ASSURE you the US wont allow anything to happen to the bridge.
:? do you work for the US administration?

That bridge will be the first to go down...

November 11

Courtesy of freddyd

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/3024354093_87f00e7875_b.jpg

^^wlek l3ama ma 2abta2on

^^ Yes but now we can see some progress,finally.

^^ Well at least they almost finished the first lane

Courtesy of Carreracabello

yesterday

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3197560166_56a24609e8.jpg?v=0


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3197504260_d112740710_b.jpg

Is the Mdairej bridge part of the "Autostrade el Arabe" by any chance?

Yes i think it is...thats what the Saudi Fund is/was in Lebanon for..

Any updates?

north span done...work to finnish end of 2009

^^ Open for traffic to Beirut yet ??

May 15

Courtesy of e_ssmile

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/3540230214_69dedb99d9_o.jpg

^^ Open for traffic to Beirut yet ??

The bridge is open on one side right now, we were able to cross it this year they made it into a two way lane for now

oh cool so its one lane north and south now?

i personally don't like this bridge too much concrete nothing creative or special about it, except that it's high ...

^^ i would have made it a suspension bridge ..but thats just me :P

^^If it were built as a suspension bridge, nothing would have been left of it after the Israelis bombed it. All it would take is one hit and the entire bridge collapses.

This bridge was hit 6 times by the Israelis.

Never thought about it from an artistic point of view, but you're right! it's plain and just ..concrete!

I guess we were star-stricken by the fact that it's the highest in the Middle East!
(Which I'm not if it's true! Like the bridges in Istanbul above the Bosphorus are definitely higher!)

^^ But Turkey is not considered a part of the Middle-East

loool good point there... those who made it should have thought about the possibility of it being bombed :lol: ... but hey at least there is a bridge. hopefully in the future we'll have more "artistic" ones ..

^^ But Turkey is not considered a part of the Middle-East

yes it is..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/13/GreaterMiddleEast1.png

Turkey IS in The Middle east of course but the Highest bridge in Istanbul above the Bosphorus is only 64 meters high... this is 75m

Never thought about it from an artistic point of view, but you're right! it's plain and just ..concrete!

I guess we were star-stricken by the fact that it's the highest in the Middle East!
(Which I'm not if it's true! Like the bridges in Istanbul above the Bosphorus are definitely higher!)

For the record, the Suez Canal Bridge has a higher clearance than the Bosphorus' two bridges.

^^ ouff only 64m for the Bosphorus bridges?! They've always seemed higher to me (and I've passed on them and under them!)

May 15

Courtesy of e_ssmile

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/3540230214_69dedb99d9_o.jpg

^^if u look a little closer u would see that the crane building the bridge has actually collapsed on its side.
the project still has not progressed since that incident and the builders are still working out how they're gna solve it :bash:
i passed the project yesterday on my way to bekaa

June 2nd

Courtesy of aalek

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/7454/mdeirej.jpg/bmi_orig_img/mdeirej.jpg

September 2009

Courtesy of me

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1198/img6537edited.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1867/img6524edited.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8022/img6523edited.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7640/img6522edited.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9176/img6518edited.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5342/img6519edited.jpg

^^ Is the other span in place?

Pics I took August 2009

http://i49.tinypic.com/zuh2qw.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/kafubo.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/33eu6pk.jpg

Got to be done by now right?

I asked my grandma about it, she said it looks like they are almost done and will be allowing traffic on it very soon.


So maybe they are just doing final touch ups?

It's done only on one way,and i think it will be open to traffic for people going to Beirut from Bekaa.

^^ I think that the rehabilitation has been extremely slow ! I mean, did it take us that long to build the damn bridge ?!

^^ restoration is actually harder and takes more time than building.i agree that it took to long,but some "political" reasons were behind that as i read on albalad newspaper a while ago :crazy:

Well thats just great aint it ! Politicians just have to stick their noses in everything ! I mean what could restoring a bridge affect their political career ! Just plain old stupid. Makes me so angry when our politicians start acting like retards. :bash:

^^ Well,they are.

but to get back to the topic,everything is back to normal now,and by the end of this year the bridge will be fully operational.

^^ Do you by any chance know how much money was spent on the renovations ? I think that building the thing costed 100 million ( Mustakbal Newspaper)

Rebuilding the Mudeirej Bridge

USAID is reconstructing the Mudeirej Bridge in the Sofar-Mudeirej region of Lebanon. It is over 225 feet high and almost 1,400 feet long. The two-way Mudeirej Bridge is the largest bridge in Lebanon and among the tallest in the Middle East.

Rebuilding the bridge will restore one of Lebanon's most important commercial links between Beirut and Chtoura, toward Lebanon's eastern border. It will stimulate trade and economic growth essential for Lebanon's financial recovery.

Budgeted at $30 million, the project is implemented by Contrack International. The firm is employing about 150 workers for the design and construction of the bridge.

The northern span of the two-way bridge has been completed and was opened to traffic in January 2010. The northern and southern bridge’s damaged piers have been repaired. The south span is completed; minor finishing work is due to take place in the spring of 2010, after which the south span will also be opened to traffic.

Courtesy of Mecca

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UqD7T7r491A/TBY8u9vD9BI/AAAAAAAACzw/3jLQkXX1SYA/116.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UqD7T7r491A/TBY8vypsYnI/AAAAAAAACz0/izzmCNPvmxE/117.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UqD7T7r491A/TBY8xbV7X5I/AAAAAAAACz4/Zx0w8Q7Kf0Q/118.jpg

^^ that's one ugly concrete bridge

Courtesy of الذيب الشمالي

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs209.ash2/47241_147962325226647_100000386406826_304306_7441659_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs289.snc4/40766_147962611893285_100000386406826_304309_2852886_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs149.ash2/40766_147962615226618_100000386406826_304310_2367632_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs149.ash2/40766_147962618559951_100000386406826_304311_6534416_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs309.snc4/40766_147962621893284_100000386406826_304312_7574585_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs309.snc4/40766_147962628559950_100000386406826_304314_8341158_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs309.snc4/40766_147962631893283_100000386406826_304315_2776844_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs289.snc4/40766_147962635226616_100000386406826_304316_4920828_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs415.snc4/47863_147962918559921_100000386406826_304318_961006_n.jpg

very nice, its a huge relief that they are done, after 4 years of work :| , is there any other country in the world where once of its most vital bridges that did not get destroyed entirely takes 4 years to repair.... BS

The Americans were organizing and paying for it. Its completion must have been a low priority, like the rebuilding of Iraq. Or maybe they didnt want it to be repaired for a good while.