Lethem trail bridge collapses

A collapsed bridge on the Georgetown-Lethem Trail has residents of Lethem worried about power supply during the Christmas holiday as fuel tankers are currently stuck but Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn yesterday assured that it will be fixed by today.

The bridge, located some 20 miles from Kurupukari at a location referred to by commuters as Frenchman Turn, disintegrated after its foundation washed away, Benn told Stabroek News yesterday.

“There is a bridge there that collapsed, the foundation wash away. I’m told light traffic such as buses are now passing but heavy vehicles can’t…a contractor is on the site working and it should be fixed by tomorrow,” Benn said.

Buses had to be pulled along the trail (Jules Fredricks photo)
Buses had to be pulled along the trail (Jules Fredricks photo)
The collapsed bridge. Commuters had to disembark buses  (Jules Fredricks photo)
The collapsed bridge. Commuters had to disembark buses (Jules Fredricks photo)

He noted that he had received a phone call from the Lethem Power Company informing him that it only had one day’s fuel remaining and that trucks with fuel were stalled at the broken bridge.

However, he said that the contractor was working feverishly to have the bridge fixed by this afternoon.

Residents yesterday lamented to  Stabroek News that coping with a dark Christmas was not something they want as throughout the year they have struggled with power woes.

They said that not only the bridge the Public Works Ministry should fix but that when it rains various points on the road itself are so deplorable that they have to disembark the buses and trudge through the muddy slush.