Army Corps Of Engineers Work Diligently
Al Kut, Iraq
There is reason to celebrate in the Al Kut region of the Wassit Province in Iraq. Two new projects have been completed for the Iraqi People. One is a primary healthcare center, the other is a bridge. Both projects had grand opening ceremonies that were attended by the head of the Iraqi Government, Nouri Al Maliki.
“These are two important projects to the Sheikh Sa’ad Village region,†said Major Clay Morgan. Morgan is the U.S. Army Corps Engineer that headed up the two projects. The village where the two projects are located is about thirty kilometers from Iran and about forty kilometers from Al Kut to the east.
The Bridge at Sheikh Sa’ad was built at the cost of nearly eight point three million dollars. The entire project involved constructing and designing a twelve-meter wide by four hundred fifty six meter concrete bridge across the Tigris River.  The total cost of the bridge came from the Iraqi Reconstruction and relief fund.
It included a two-lane road that approaches from each end and different bridge features. Bridge features such as lighting and a river access roadway on each side that is paved are a couple of the items featured on the new bridge.
“The new bridge is to replace a pontoon bridge that was very old, and could not support traffic,†said Morgan. “The bridge in place now can support trucks and allows the area farmers to sell their goods at the market, and transport goods and crops to Maysan, Baghdad, and other areas.
The Healthcare center was also constructed with money from the reconstruction and relief fund. Its cost was about five hundred forty thousand dollars.
