Kumaka-San Jose bridgeworks to be completed next week

By Vanessa Narine, Saturday, 21 December 2013, Source

ALLIANCE For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Thursday evening raised concerns of residents in Region 1 (Barima/ Waini) over the state of works on the Kumaka-San Jose bridge.

Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud.

Speaking in the National Assembly, she pointed out that incomplete works, started November 2012, present a challenge to the residents, in particular school children.

“The residents of Moruca would like to know, from the Honourable Minister, what are his plans to solve this problem and in what time-frame, since the whole community is affected,” Garrido-Lowe said.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud assured that works are expected to be completed within seven days.
He acknowledged that the works did start in November 2012, and he pointed out that the scope of the works was increased.

Persaud said, “The bridge is completed…the question I think is focused on the revetment aspects and landfilling, which also I am concerned about….as of Sunday of this week the backfilling in the revetment has commenced….I am assured that works will be completed within another seven days.”

The initial $28M contract saw works commence November 2012. However, in June this year, a variation order valued $15.7M was signed for revetment works, among other changes to the contract.

The revetment was deemed necessary since, after prolonged rainfall and a high tide, floodwater usually covers a part of the approach to the bridge, forcing residents to walk on the edge of the old revetment, an unsafe undertaking. Vehicles have also had to cease movement in the direction of the flooded area.

With the completion of the works, the existing narrow walkway of the bridge, which lies between Kamwatta and Parakeese, will be expanded to create a better linkage between those communities, allowing the movement of light vehicles.

The San Jose and Kumaka communities have a population in excess of 3,000 and users of the bridge include an additional 2,000 passing through en-route to Charity, the Essequibo Coast and Georgetown.