A temporary bridge which was constructed along the Ituni/Kwakwani trail two weeks ago after a part of the trail washed away is beginning to sink and residents in the area are calling on the authorities to address the issue.
Persons in the area told this newspaper that the bridge has been ‘buckling ‘under the weight of traffic which traverses the trail since the temporary structure was constructed several weeks ago. Efforts to contact the regional authorities in the area by phone yesterday were in vain.
The bridge, which was built using mostly logs, was erected alongside a washed out section of the roadway, near the Kamakabra Creek, located some six miles from Ituni on the way to Kwakwani. Water from the creek once flowed under the roadway via a culvert but heavy rainfall resulted in the creek overtopping a few weeks ago.
Dwayne Wilson, a mini-bus operator who plies the Ituni/Kwakwani route, told Stabroek News yesterday that the weather conditions have improved in the area over the past two weeks. He noted however, that the temporary bridge has been ‘sinking-in’ as lumber trucks and other heavy vehicles have been travelling along the roadway almost daily.
Another resident from Kwakwani related that the road has been ‘dry enough’ for works to be undertaken.
An Ituni resident noted that officials from the Public Works Ministry, who had been in the area to inspect the part of the trail in question, have not been seen in the area since the temporary structure was constructed. The officials were overseeing works.
The trail, which is the key link between the logging community of Ituni and Kwakwani and ultimately the coastland, was renovated several months ago.
Residents in the area have called on the authorities to ensure road works being undertaken in the area are monitored since parts of the thoroughfare deteriorated soon after works were completed.
