Courtney Benn Contracting Services recently delivered 25 completed deck plates for immediate use on the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
In a press release the company said the first set of plates was delivered on December 9 and it is expected that a total of 2000 deck plates would be built and delivered to the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) over the next four months. The company also handed over about 1,400 feet of anchor chains and three pontoons.
The company said it won the $650M government contract to provide 2000 deck plates and critical spares for the bridge. It is also supplying 12,200 feet of anchor chains and continuing the construction and maintenance of the flotation units. Also, work is near completion on the final pontoon. According to the release 2000 plates represent about 25% of the riding surface of the bridge.
DHBC General Manager Rawlston Adams examined the bridge components under construction before formally taking delivery of the 25 plates. He said “these new plates will considerably improve the riding surface of the bridge making it safer and more reliable for commuters.” He said too the plates “will be installed immediately” but noted that the installation will be carried out during retraction and low traffic periods in order to avoid disrupting traffic and inconveniencing commuters.
Adams said too the DBHC has moved from a reactive maintenance to a preventative maintenance mode. He said the current programme extends into 2009 and includes the changing of pontoons, buoys, anchor chains, connecting posts and the deck plates which will extend the life of the Bridge for another 10 years.
Meanwhile, during the visit by DHBC officials Managing Director Courtney Benn said his company was proud to continue to fabricate and supply components for the Bridge. Benn said his company had previously supplied components for the Bridge and they “have performed well.”
