The Linmine Secretariat said repairs to the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge are likely to continue for another 10 weeks.
The works on the Bridge’s undercarriage started last June with a budget of $114 million. According to the Linmine Secretariat Engineer Emette Alves, the remaining works are now being done to section four of the seven sections of the Bridge’s middle span. On completion of the seven spans, focus would then shift to the upper section of the Bridge. “At the moment the work that is being done is to the upper tranches of both the upper stringers and the main girders of the middle span… the corroded sections were removed and steel plates have replaced those following which we have to place the high beams on to the main girders that would give us the correct elevation for the wooden decking,” he said. Alves also noted that workers did not encounter any major problems while working on that section of the middle span. “We did have some minor challenges,” he said, adding that workers were able to address them quickly.
The works have resulted in brief periods of closure to vehicular traffic. Technical Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Walter Willis said the works had been conducted over a long period of time as they had to be done in accordance with the tides.
Consequent to the initial rehabilitation it was discovered that the central span of the Bridge was in an advanced state of deterioration and needed urgent repairs. In this regard, works to the value of $40 million started in October bringing the total coast of remedial works to the facility to $154 million. Courtney Benn Contracting Services was awarded the contract for the repairs. The works were expected to be done over 21 weeks.
In order to facilitate the works, several public advisories were issued jointly by the Linmine Secretariat, the Linden Town Council and the Ministry of Public Works and Communication about scheduled closures to vehicular traffic.
Since this schedule was put in place several categories of road users have said that they have been inconvenienced. They also reported damages to their vehicles.
On numerous occasions heavy and long vehicles encountered problems while crossing the ramp which was placed over the areas where remedial works are being executed. This resulted in extensive traffic build-up on both sides of the shores and long hours of delays.
