The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corpora-tion (DHBC) says it rehabilitated 56 pontoons last year on the floating structure and said there were over 8.3m vehicle crossings.
In a Ministry of Public Works release on Friday, the DHBC listed critical maintenance works as follows: 1) installation of the new retractor span # 9; 2) replacement of 9 transom beams; 3) rehabilitation and installation of 95 buoys; 4) rehabilitation of 56 pontoons; 5) replacement of 77 end posts; 6) replacement and installation of 239 lengths of wire ropes connected to the buoys; 7) replacement of 175 lengths of anchor chains; and 8) replacement and installation of 204 anchor blocks as off February 2023, a project which commenced in 2022.
It was also stated that the DHB technical team successfully rehabilitated three Bridges along the East Coast Railway Embankment and the Parika Ferry Stelling Ramp. Technical assistance was also provided to the Berbice River Bridge due to a tug and barge accident.
According to the release, the DHBC was also involved in the delivery of education. In January 2023, the corporation was licensed as a Master Apprenticeship Training Centre and in October 2023 commenced the training of eleven young adults -10 males and 1 female – in the field of Welding and Fabrication. It was explained that the duration of the apprenticeship programme is two years, during which time the apprentices will undergo training both in a practical and theoretical learning environment. Upon completion of the programme, the trainees will be formally integrated into the work environment where they can better enhance their skillset and knowledge of the craft. However, while the programme focuses on developing technical skills, it also encompasses life skills that will help the trainees meet their fullest potential in the working environment and meaningfully contribute to their communities.
With regard to river traffic, the release stated the following: 1) a total of 4,035 vessels transited the retractor span, 49.8% of these vessels transited northbound while 50.2% accounted for southbound transits. 2) 97% of retractions for marine vessels occur at night and 3% during the day. 3) Ocean-going vessels transits have increased by 8.0% from the year 2021 to November 2023, while coastal vessels have increased by 88.2%. 4) Tug & Barges saw an overall increase of 86.9% from the year 2021 to November 2023.
The release touched on road traffic and informed that at November 2023, approximately 8,348,322 vehicles have transited the bridge in both directions which is is equivalent to an increase of approximately 28% when compared to 2020.
