Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
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Berbice River Bridge to be closed to navigation
The main navigation channel through the retractor span of the Berbice River Bridge will be closed to navigation from Monday to Christmas Eve.
In a notice issued to the public, the Berbice Bridge Company stated that contractors will be engaged in an important testing exercise between the retractor span in the vicinity of the main navigation channel.
The testing will be conducted between 08:00 and 16:00hrs each day.
To facilitate this exercise, the company is advising that the main navigation channel through the retractor span will be closed.
Mariners are therefore advised to keep clear of and to navigate with extreme caution when in the vicinity.
Last month, the company announced that the bridge will be open to light vehicular traffic come December 23.
The source told this newspaper that, at present, works are being carried out at a greatly accelerated pace to have at least one lane working by the opening date. The bridge will be handed over to Government after 21 years, following its official opening.
Chairperson of the project, Geeta Singh-Knights, said that they have been given assurances that the approach roads will be prepared in order to facilitate vehicular traffic by the opening date.
The formal opening will, however, be held in January.
The retraction span of the bridge is 70 metres, the same as the Demerara Harbour Bridge. There will be a scale (weigh bridge) at both ends of the bridge, and only vehicles weighing a maximum of 40 tonnes will be allowed to traverse the bridge.
The toll booths at the bridge are currently under construction and are expected to be completed in about a week’s time.
On the western side of the bridge there are substantial works to be done. After construction, the BBCI will operate the bridge on a toll basis, using a formula that will secure sufficient revenue to cover all operating and maintenance costs, give a return on the investment, and repay financing.
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