DHB changes western hydraulic ramp two days ahead of schedule

The operation to change the western hydraulic ramp of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) was successfully completed yesterday, two days ahead of schedule. The bridge could once again accommodate two-lane vehicular traffic and retract for ocean going vessels.
On May 26, management of DHB commenced operations to change the western hydraulic ramp, weeks after it concluded changing the eastern hydraulic ramp. This operation was slated for four days but owing to effective time management it was completed in two days.

Recent works being carried out on the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

For those two days vehicles were restricted to one-lane traffic by the retractor span and marine traffic.
According to General Manager of DHB, Rawlston Adams, at 17:30 hrs yesterday the operation was completed and by 18:00 hrs traffic was flowing like usual.
He related that on both days the contractor, InFAB and the bridge engineers commenced work at 6:00 am. There was little obstruction from the vehicles traversing the bridge since it was a holiday.
Although the change to the eastern hydraulic ramp was also completed ahead of schedule, managing resources differently allowed the western ramp change to be quicker. To facilitate the western change the components were transported via the river on a pontoon instead of a truck via the bridge. In fact, all the materials were loaded and off-loaded on the pontoon.
Adams added that the weather was favourable for the operation. He explained that the environment was not heated and so workers were not quickly tired and dehydrated.
He stated that the bridge administration took the opportunity to replace 42 deck plates, which were unchanged for 15 years.