Major strengthening to Mackenzie/Wismar bridge ongoing
DPI, Guyana, Friday, August 31, 2018
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) has budgeted millions of dollars to undertake major rehabilitation to the Mackenzie/Wismar bridge.
Over 3,000 vehicles, including lumber trucks and heavy-duty vehicles, traverse the bridge daily.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Linmine Secretariat, Emit Alves said that the repairs are currently being done in sections and a floatable raft was constructed so as to effectively meet those high spots for cleaning and sandblasting and to strengthen the structure and its nuts and bolts.
Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge committee member and Municipal Councillor, Lennox Gasper said he is grateful that MoPI would have ventured into the maintenance works to strengthen the bridge. “With this extensive work, we are hoping that the bridge will ease regular weekly closure, and we will be seeing maintenance done more on a monthly basis.”
While the old bridge is being strengthened, he still welcomes a new bridge for the town. “I am happy that plans are afoot to ensure that we have a new bridge because there is an influx of transportation and a usually long line of vehicles that are on either side, hence we need to have that two-way flow of traffic.”
The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved funding in the amount of US$4.4M to help Guyana enhance its transportation sector, and support the development of interior communities. Some of the funds will be used to finance the construction of the new bridge. The old bridge is one lane and has been in existence for 51 years. It is a major connecting point from interior locations to the capital city.
Story and Images: Vanessa Braithwaite