The estimated cost of repairs to the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) retractor/acceptor spans, following the crash by the MV Tradewind Passion, is just over $1 billion, according to Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill.
Edghill was asked by Opposition Member of Parliament David Patterson to provide the National Assembly with the name of the contractors, contract sums and scope of works for all works in association with the repairs to the DHB after it was hit by the MV Tradewind Passion.
In a written response, Edghill revealed that repairs totaled $1,001,084,615. The estimated costs for the rehabilitation of retractor span and cluster piles were given as $268,532,461 and $18,165,400, respectively. These repairs were done by the Industrial Fabrications INC (INFAB) and IB Contracting and Machinery Rental.
EC. Vieira Investment Inc was paid $540,112,069 for equipment rental, and fabrication of eight special connecting posts, four large pontoons and walkway step, while Gaico was paid $17,748,000 for use of a barge with excavator to install 10 anchor blocks at ten locations at retractor/acceptor spans and to remove two damaged 15 pile clusters as well as rental of a tug to assist in installing pontoons.
J&J Auto Sales was paid $1,420,000 for rental of truck to transport 18 anchor blocks from Kingston to the bridge as well as to transport a damaged beam to INFAB and to remove an anchor chain from a pontoon.
For diving works and removal of damaged sunken cluster piles at the retractor span, V Rodrigues Diving Services was paid $20,800,000.
Additionally, the DHB internal costs were estimated at $128,903,085, which included mobilisation of DHB Company bridge workers, equipment, consumables, meals, payment for injured shift supervisor, toll and marine revenue loss, repairs to steel walkway steps and removal and installation of a pontoon.
The crash occurred just about 2am on October 8 after the MV Tradewind Passion crashed into the bridge, damaging four spans. At the time, the Panamanian registered vessel was navigating the channel to offload fuel at GuyOil’s Providence Terminal.
The vessel shifted the bridge about 45 degrees out of alignment while damaging spans 8,9,10 and 11. The damage has been labelled as extraordinary and required a lot of technical work to restore the bridge.
DHB Company Ship Supervisor Andy Duke was also seriously injured after he was forced to jump from a tower to get to safety.
The repair works were undertaken by both the government and private sector bodies.
