Harbour Bridges opens to light vehicles - to resume normalcy tomorrow - GM
Georgetown, GINA, July 25, 2012 - Source - GINA
Light vehicles such as minibuses, cars and three-tonne canter trucks were allowed to use the Demerara Harbour Bridge this afternoon as the maintenance team battled through the night to restore some level of normalcy.
General Manager Rawlston Adams at a press briefing today said that 90-95% of the works to reinstate the bridge was completed.
The West Demerara Regional Hospital vehicle using the bridge to acquire medical gas
“Works were done during the night…we worked up to midnight…we got back at 4 this morning, remobilized and we were able to complete works that we spoke about yesterday (Tuesday)…we are still not finished- we have to reposition the original pontoon…that is about 50% completed,” Adams explained.
He added that the team is currently adjusting the height on the other pontoon so that the original pontoon could be fitted in, which will bring the bridge to its full operational capacity.
“We are hoping that those works will be completed so that we can meet our target of having large vehicles crossing sometime tomorrow (Thursday)…we are fairly confident that we will be able to meet that…we said we should be opening today by half day to light vehicles and we are pleased to say that we have been able to meet that schedule.
A section of the team continuing the execution of restoration works
Valiant efforts
Adams described the maintenance team which responded and was domiciled on the bridge since its closure as an excellent team which understood the important of having the bridge operational.
“People must understand that this is a team work…this is testimony to the dedication of workers of the bridge…they take pride in maintaining and keeping this bridge afloat…unfortunately we do not have enough critical men to work two shifts,” Adams said.
He explained that in times when the tide was low, it was insisted that certain men get sleep, however in the initial stage most of the senior men who responded to the work did not sleep for more than 24 hours.
Light vehicles accessing the bridge
“This is the only job they ever had; they have been working here for years and understand the importance of the work that is needed to get the bridge up and running… I am proud to be part of this team… I’m only here for four years- these guys are here for over 25 years,” Adams explained.
On Monday morning last at 6:45 hours, the jaws of a temporary pontoon which was installed by maintenance team at the weekend to execute schedule maintenance works broke causing the section of the bridge between span 61 and 60 to be submerged.
The Maritime Administration gave temporary approval for water taxis operating from Vreed-en-Hoop and Stabroek to install navigational lights so that they could have provided a 24 hour service to commuters.