Latest update May 12th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 17, 2008 News
– Minister Benn
Public Works Minister Robeson Benn has said that repairs to the New Providence bridge are to be completed within two weeks.
According to him, a contractor has already been recruited, and works have started on the bridge. Benn also said that repairs will cost in excess of $8M.
The minister said that the ministry will be contacting Toolsie Persaud for assistance in the construction.
He noted that at present there is no alternative system in place for vehicles to get in an out of New Providence. However, he added, there is a pedestrian walkway and vehicles and being parked outside the community.
On July 28, the bridge which links New Providence to Mocha on the East Bank of Demerara collapsed as a cement truck was crossing it. This resulted in the death of a man and another being seriously injured.
The cement truck, which was transporting readymix cement for a resident in the area and is attached to Ready Mix and Quarries of Toolsie Persaud Ltd, flipped into the trench, trapping the men in the cab.
The driver of the truck, Ramesh Ramrattan, also known as ‘Fenton,’48, of Lot 38 Church Street, Friendship, East Bank Demerara, died. The porter of the company, Imran Hassan, 26, of Lot 80 BB, Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara, was injured.
When the incident occurred, residents from within the community bitterly complained about the poor state of the bridge. They said that for the past two years the bridge has been rotting and complaints were made to the Ministry of Public Works to have it renovated.
The residents came together and raised some $2.5 million for the repairs.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur News understands that the bridge had a sign which stated that only vehicles of no more than five tonnes should cross the bridge.
According to one resident, it appears as if someone removed the sign.
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