The call by persons residing on the East Bank of Demerara for the widening of several bridges along the highway may soon be answered.
According to Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, the Ministry has a special project where significant bridges and culverts between Timehri and Rosignol have been identified for renovation.
He explained that under this project some of the narrow culverts along the East Bank Highway are expected to be widened.
In recent times, there has been an outcry from citizens to widen several bridges along the highway following fatal accidents. The narrow bridges are particularly problematic as they are interspersed among widened ones. Late at nights commuters who are unfamiliar with the area could be easily misled because the area is not brightly lit. Traffic signs have now been put up warning about the narrow bridges.
On August 5, Satyanand Singh and Wajeed Shaw lost their lives after the car in which they were travelling smashed into a concrete culvert at New Diamond – one of the narrow bridges. The impact caused the car to burst into flames resulting in the two men being burnt to death.
One resident, who has been living in the area for six years, told this newspaper that this particular culvert has been the scene of several accidents over the years. She blamed the authorities for never addressing the real problem which was the narrowness of the bridge. After the recent accident involving the two young men, the bridge was repaired and two signs “Narrow Bridge ahead” were erected north and south of the culvert.
Benn told this newspaper that the Ministry recognised the urgency of the situation and is working to address it. He explained that the project had gone out for tender but some difficulties were experienced. The project, Benn stated, will be up for tender again this year and he is hoping that the project will get underway early next year.
It is unclear why those bridges were not widened at the same time as the rest.
