By Sase Shiwnarain
The Demerara Harbour Bridge plays a key role in the lives of the people of Region Three and further west. It affects the daily lives of the people in various ways, some of which may not even occur to those who are unaffected.
While the affected persons may not have resorted to measures designed to secure high-profile public attention, there has been a quiet but intense build-up of concern over the uncertainties associated with the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Some of the considerations are obvious. For example, the success of the two largest housing schemes in Region Three—Tuschen and La Parfaite Harmonie—is entirely dependent on the bridge.
The most recent failure of the bridge took three days to remedy putting tremendous pressure on both domestic and commercial life. Apart from the inconvenience to commuters, the break in communication meant that the movement of goods–food, fuel, aggregate for construction and other essentials–was severely affected.
It should be borne in mind that the current residential significant shift by persons previously residing in Georgetown and other areas east of the Demerara has not been accompanied by an industrial plan to locate industries in Region Three.
In effect, commuter traffic on the bridge continues to increase on account of the need for persons who now live in areas west of the river to travel to and from their places of work in Georgetown.
It is unclear whether the planners of these schemes gave consideration to the cost of transportation for people to get to and from their place of work in Region Four.
The most recent failure of the bridge also served to remind of its age and its diminished reliability.
It has become patently obvious that the bridge management team must now work a great deal harder to maintain the structure.
Just how much longer the bridge will last is a question that is on many people’s minds.
What also comes to mind is whether and when there will be a replacement.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge is already more than 10 years past its expected lifespan.
With each passing year it has been required to bear the weight of greater volumes of traffic.
Arguably, given its age and the existing level of traffic its rate of deterioration is likely to accelerate.
While it seems that no expense is being spared to keep the bridge afloat, one wonders just how much longer it will hold up.
Even if construction on a new bridge were to begin today it will take several years to complete.
The citizens need a firm commitment on the future of that vital communication link between Regions Three and Four and what plans, if any, will be put in place to deal with future contingencies.
Sase Shiwnarain is President of the West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry
