16/02/2025
Rodio Swissboring Reconstructs the Titihuapa Bridge in El Salvador
Situated above the Titihuapa River and connecting San Ildefonso (San Vicente) to Ciudad Dolores (Cabañas), the nearly 100-meter-long Titihuapa Bridge serves as a vital link for local residents, ensuring safe and continuous traffic flow. Its reconstruction showcases Rodio Swissboring’s expertise in executing complex infrastructure projects while addressing structural, environmental, and social challenges.
Historical Context
Originally constructed with masonry arches, the Titihuapa Bridge demonstrated remarkable durability despite a lack of maintenance. However, temporary repairs and exposure to the harsh tropical climate had severely deteriorated its condition. One of its arches had collapsed, compromising its structural stability.
Although the bridge remained functional, it no longer met modern safety standards and struggled to accommodate traffic during floods or extreme weather events.
Work Performed
Rodio Swissboring’s intervention involved reinforcing and stabilizing the bridge by installing 485.71 linear meters of cast-in-place cased piles.
This method, chosen for its effectiveness, enhances the structure’s stability, particularly under challenging geotechnical conditions such as erosion. These cased piles efficiently distribute loads, ensuring the bridge’s resilience against climatic hazards.
The construction process included rigorous testing, such as CrossHole integrity tests and dynamic load testing, both critical for validating the strength and consistency of the installed piles. CrossHole Tests detect any imperfections in the concrete’s integrity, and Dynamic Load Tests simulate real-world load conditions on the piles.
These evaluations, conducted by Rodio Swissboring, guaranteed a robust substructure capable of withstanding environmental and mechanical forces.
Impact on Communities
The reconstruction of the Titihuapa Bridge has brought positive impacts that extend beyond technical achievements. By improving connectivity between communities, the project has revitalized the local economy and enhanced residents’ quality of life by providing better access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and transportation.
Furthermore, the bridge’s design respects the river’s natural flow, thereby preserving the surrounding environment.
