A temporary access road has been constructed on the Linden to Lethem trail at 42 Miles, Mabura to allow the passage of vehicles that were affected after the culverts were washed away by torrential rains on Friday.
Rehabilitation works have since commenced and the contractor Mekdeci Mining Company is working to complete all works by Saturday. At the worksite, the contractor has already installed large corrugated plastic tubes to facilitate effective drainage. A source told Stabroek News that cofferdams have been built to facilitate the reinstallation of five culverts.
The heavy downpour on Friday last resulted in approximately 30 feet of road being washed away, inconveniencing scores of travellers between Linden and Lethem.
In a bid to get stranded vehicles across the 42 Miles stream, individuals constructed a makeshift raft to transport minibuses and other lightweight vehicles. In a video seen by this newspaper and posted on social media, upon loading the vehicle on to the raft, several men guided the raft across the stream and off-loaded the vehicle. Some persons who were stranded began crossing via boats.
A statement by the Ministry of Public Works last Saturday explained that the high volume and pressure of the water overwhelmed the multiple lower level culverts and began overtopping the roadway, eventually taking the entire section with it.
The ministry informed that four contractors were engaged for provision of emergency works and it opted to go with Mekdeci Mining Company to replace the culverts.
