The lone bridge which links Mackenzie to Wismar over the Demerara River is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation with over $154 million being expended by the government. And residents have welcomed the works.
The remedial works commenced in June of 2008 with a budget of $114 million focusing on the undercarriage of the bridge. Those works resulted in brief periods of closure to vehicular traffic. According to Technical Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Walter Willis the initial works stretched over a period of time since they had to work in accordance with the tides.
He added that consequent to this rehabilitation it was discovered that the central span of the bridge was in an advanced state of deterioration and necessitated urgent attention. In this regard works would commence on Monday at a cost of $40 million.
Several persons throughout the community said that they welcome the remedial work to the bridge since it has been long overdue. They said that they are pleased that those responsible took into consideration the crossing hours for school children and workers. However others have expressed concern about the extended time for the repairs.
According to some persons traffic to and from interior locations would be most affected. They suggested that a pontoon system be put in place for the crossing of lumber trucks at scheduled periods.
The current rehab exercise is expected to run over a twenty-one week period and would see the bridge being opened for limited hours.
Meanwhile, a public advisory issued jointly by the Linmine Secretariat, The Linden Town Council and the Ministry of Public Works and Communication stated that the bridge would be closed to vehicular traffic from Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 15:00hrs and it will remain opened until 17:00hrs which would allow school children and workers to get from one shore to the other hassle free. The next opening hours would be after 21:00 hrs. On Saturdays the bridge would be closed from 09:00hrs to 15:00hrs. The maximum allowable speed for vehicular traffic while crossing the bridge would be 5 miles per hour.
Speaking with Stabroek News, Linmine Secretariat’s Emette Alves said that a platform would be placed across the span during the time the bridge would be opened and there would be strict monitoring. Upon completion it is expected that the bridge would be able to accommodate sixty-ton truck traffic.
Courtney Benn Contract-ing Services was awarded the contract for the repairs.
