Rehab of old Mahaica Bridge completed

On April 29, the old Mahaica Bridge re-opened to restricted vehicular traffic after the completion of a 33.9M rehabilitation done by KB & B Contractors.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Public Works, repairs to the 118- year-old structure were monitored by their engineer Khiraj Bisesar and entailed the removal and replacement of damaged steel components and the installing of a reinforced concrete deck.

The bridge which is approximately 175 feet long, the release said also saw placement of new revetments on both ends, restriction barriers with signs, new galvanised pipe hand rails and cleaning and painting of its existing girders.

The restrictions are for vehicles of a maximum height of 9 feet and a maximum load of 4 tonnes per axle, the Ministry said. All vehicles which exceed this, “must use the bridge along the Mahaica/Rosignol roadway which is approximately 2,500 feet (800m) from the Mahaica Old Bridge.”

Signs indicating the restriction have been placed on both sides of the roadway approaching the bridge and the Ministry expects all drivers to adhere.

The restoration of the bridge which connects Regions Four and Five commenced in September 2014 but was delayed due to “unforeseen structural decay,” the Ministry said.