An American impression of Palau from Christmas 96: quote about the Koror-Babeldaob bridge we used rather anxiously in 94:
[Palau is also very small. A single
road connects the four islands
that host most of the country's
17,000 people. Between three of
the islands there are raised concrete
causeways; the largest island,
Babeldaob, connects to Koror,
the capital, by a bridge. Until
recently at least. In September
the bridge -- a concrete span 30
feet wide by some 300 feet long --
fell into the channel, so there
is now a ferry service. When I
asked a local woman what had
happened to it she said, "It collapse."
"Earthquake?" I asked.
"No. Just collapse." She said it
as though these things just
happen sometimes.]
Current situation:
RELEASE: September 11, 1997
Almost one year following the collapse of the transportation artery
connecting our two main islands of Koror and Babeldaob, we are
happy to announce that the last impediment to restoration of full
infrastructural services has been removed. On Aug. 3., a pontoon-type
bridge built by Daiho Corp. was opened up to traffic. On Sept. 26 last
year, the 790-foot Koror-Babeldaob Bridge crashed into the sea,
severing Koror from its sources of water and power and the Palau
International Airport. Since then, submarine water and power
connections have been laid and, until Aug. 3 opening of the bridge, a
ferry system installed for service to the airport and the island of
Babeldaob.