Works Minister Robeson Benn yesterday announced that his Ministry will be taking over the responsibility of carrying out whatever reconstructive/repair works are necessary on the collapsed St Ignatius Bridge.
Due to the extent of damage done to the bridge, the minister shared that works to be done are likely to be more reconstructive in nature. “The foundation is wiped out,” Benn said. He explained that of the three reinforced concrete beams which supported the bridge, one was completely destroyed while the remaining two were bent out of shape. As such, he said, the bridge’s entire foundation needs to be redone. He added though, that an overall cost for the works has not yet been determined. The bridge collapsed two weeks ago while a truck with an excavator was crossing it.
The minister explained that though the bridge was constructed and maintained by the Region, the Ministry of Public Works would be taking charge of its reconstruction.
Region 9 Chairman, Wilson Laurentino, yesterday said that the minister and his team visited the bridge recently and made their assessments. He also said that an estimate for works to be done was submitted to the Ministry to help the process along.
The process, however, of repairing the bridge is yet to begin. According to Benn, the ministry is currently in the process of hauling “bridge elements” to the site of the bridge in preparation for when work begins. He confirmed that engineers from the Works Ministry were indeed in Region 9 last week making assessments.
Meanwhile, residents of the area who depend on the bridge continue to be inconvenienced. According to Laurentino, persons residing in Deep South and St. Ignatius have been affected the most. Laurentino said that persons wishing to move heavy machinery to and from Lethem continue to be hampered since this bridge served as the primary means of accessing and leaving the border town and surrounding mining districts.
