The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation and truckers from the West Demerara have come to an amicable solution on the use of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Almost two weeks ago, a group of 15 truckers voiced their discontent with the sudden reinstitution of a time restriction for their use of the bridge, which was implemented with immediate effect beginning on November 30th.
The restriction allowed truckers to use the bridge only between 6 am and 6 pm as opposed to the previous restriction to between 3 am and 6pm.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bridge corporation Rawlston Adams had told this newspaper that the truck drivers were engaged in 2016 after they raised similar complaints, and recalled that a decision was made to extend the hours from the initial 6 am to 6 pm timeslot to 3 am to 6 pm on the condition that they avoid speeding while using the bridge.
He further related that the decision to reintroduce the 6 am to 6 pm schedule follows a review which showed that the drivers were still speeding during the early morning hours, thereby putting further strain on the bridge.
However, Stabroek News understands that the CEO was able to meet with some of the truckers on Thursday last and they were able to come to an amicable solution.
Abdul Khan, one of the truckers who attended the meeting and who spoke with this newspaper, yesterday explained that both parties have agreed to have the trucks use the bridge between 4 am and 6 pm.
The new hours, which were instituted last Friday, are being considered a “trial run” and will be reviewed and further discussed in the new year.
“The outcome is a win-win for us as we are now able to access the bridge between 4 am [and] 6 pm with 22.4 tonnes and during the other times with 18 tonnes. We are comfortable with this but it’s the consumers who will be getting less sand for the same price,” Khan said.
“He (Adams) reiterated that it is not about the weight of the truck but the speed that they traverse the bridge with that causes damage, especially to the high span. And so we have had discussions about all of these things. We ourselves are appealing to these truck drivers to adhere to the speed limit and the rules of the bridge,” he added.
