1966 Press Photo US Corps of Engineers supervise construction of Kabul-Kandahar

This is the new bridge which Barbee and natives constructed with the help of U.S. Engineers. The new span, which is now safe for children to cross, has been named in honor of Cricket. Members of the U.S. Corps of Engineers supervising construction of the $42 million Kabul-Kandahar highway had already been contributing their weekends to help another American-trained governor build good gravel farm-to-market roads with the voluntary labor of local farmers and their donkeys. U.S. Aid men promised $3,000 for imported steel cables and hangers for new bridges if the people would contribute local materials and labor. Shortly after the agreement was signed, Khaliki was transferred to another province. But his successor wanted to carry through. He decided to begin with a bridge to replace the Bridge of the Cricket. Living in the governor's compound was Peace Corps volunteer "Big John" Barbee who had some construction experience. He began to round up materials and people. Barbee collected 32,800 afghanis ($435) from the villagers for cement, lime and timber. The Corps of Engineers obtained and delivered the cable, hangers, clamps and miscellaneous steel fittings needed and the work began.

Photo is dated 1966.

Photo measures 9 x 7 inches.