In February 2002, a metal truss bridge, supported by the original superstructure, was installed to restore the functionality of Sebara Dildiy, making it traversable.

[4][5][6] According to Ethiopian legend, Emperor Fasilides was said to have been in possession of many beautiful concubines, but none dared to admonish him openly as the clergy wished to retain their privileges.

An austere and religious monk, finding this to be unacceptable, made his way to the Emperor's palace in Gondar whereupon he openly condemned Fasilides.

Immediately after the execution, many of the clergymen claimed to have seen the victim's head with wings fly into heaven and decided to excommunicate the Emperor; they, too, were sentenced to death.

Beke was told that the central arch of this bridge was removed during the Zemene Mesafint (1769–1855) by the orders of a local warlord to stop an impending invasion.

Despite the damage, Beke reports that it was still used by native merchants, who "by means of ropes stretched across the open space, they manage to pass with their merchandise from one side to the other, without entering, the stream.

"[11] In 1908, Emperor Menelik II ordered its reconstruction and also added an imposing gateway on the southern side of the bridge, which featured a cement panel commemorating his work.

Nevertheless, since we had surmounted the biggest difficulty, the destruction of the Abay bridge could in no way prevent us from continuing our journey.No significant repairs were undertaken afterwards; temporary crossing was on wooden logs or by ropes.