A technical team is conducting some preliminary investigations into the collapse of a section of the Rupununi River Bridge and it will be repaired by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Kellawan Lall

Meantime, in the wake of incidents on other bridges, some with tragic consequences, the Ministry is working to ensure that users of bridges and other critical infrastructure abide by erected signs, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a news release.

The recently constructed $16M Rupununi River Bridge caved in under an excavator that was crossing the river on the structure on May 27. The excavator, which has since been pulled out and repaired, was owned by a Brazilian, who has a mining concession in the South Rupununi.

Minister of Local Government, Kellawan Lall told GINA that personnel of his ministry and the Ministry of Public Works are expected to visit the area soon to address other infrastructural matters.

Meantime, in the wake of the incidents, including a fatal one at New Providence, East Bank Demerara, where a bridge collapsed after a cement truck attempted to cross the structure leaving the driver dead and a man injured, Lall underscored the importance of citizens understanding the implications of their actions.

“While they would want to bring in all the sand and cement that they need for construction in one load, the infrastructure cannot tolerate these heavy loads especially in small communities”, the minister was quoted as saying.

He noted that in communities like New Providence, space acts as a limitation as to what type of infrastructure can be built stating that even when “heavy-duty” structures are built, after a time their strength deteriorates. He added that such structures are usually built on major highways and urged citizens to monitor the use of the facilities.

Lall further said that he would be engaging in discussions with Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn on an approach to deal with the use of community roads.

He said that he is aware of some communities which have erected barriers to prevent persons from entering with heavy trucks but noted that this will create conflicts within communities among contractors, truck owners and villagers. Lall said that signs are erected cautioning persons about weight limits but in many instances these are removed.

The minister noted too that vehicles which are parked on roadways for long periods destroy the road shoulders practically in all corners of the country.

In this regard, the Minister said that the Ministry will try its best to improve on the quality of the structures, but at the same time stated that there is a limit to which they can build these structures to accommodate heavy equipment.