In the interest of marine safety while also helping to preserve the integrity of both the proposed and current harbour bridges, several agencies have collaborated to implement new measures and protocols.
In a release on Saturday, the Department of Public Information (DPI) stated that the Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Transport and Harbour Department (T&HD), and the Coast Guard have developed and approved new safety measures and protocols to be implemented for the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the new bridge under construction, to ensure a smooth flow of ocean-going vessels that traverse the Demerara River.
According to the release, at a stakeholders meeting hosted at the T&HD Sports Club in Thomas Lands, Georgetown, on Friday, MARAD’s Director General Steven Thomas stressed the importance of preventing damage to the existing or new bridge structures. Thomas noted that vessels are currently permitted to stem the tidal current, a measure designed to prevent any potential harm to either of the bridges.
“This new bridge is a transformative project and the current harbour bridge is one of the major arteries in Guyana, so we don’t want them to be damaged in any circumstance,” the release quoted him as saying.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that all mechanical gears on vessels are fully functional while advising against attempting to transit the bridge, since any suspicion of an efficiency issue could compromise control. Stakeholders were also cautioned against overloading their vessels, the release said..
“When you charter under the bridge, please do not overload. Make sure that you have adequate clearance because failure to do so could lead to loss of control and a potential collision with either the new bridge or the current harbour bridge,” he was further quoted as saying.
The release noted that currently, the bridge is only open for daylight navigation, and all vessels must receive prior approval before transiting. Further, vessels exceeding 24 metres as well as tugs must be equipped with an automatic identification system.
Meanwhile, General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Wayne Watson announced the installation of a security box on the eastern pontoon under the High Span Channel, which will operate on a 24-hour basis, seven days per week. It was explained that this security presence will primarily coordinate with MARAD and the Coast Guard in cases of any violation of the 6 am to 6 pm transit time, the release said. It was also stated that the retractor span schedule will be published at least two to three weeks in advance each month to enable agents and vessel owners to plan their logistics efficiently.
The DPI described the new Demerara River Bridge as a hybrid cable stay beam guarder concrete bridge,that will be built to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards.
It will consist of four lanes and will span 2.6 kilometres, connecting Nandy Park on the East Bank Demerara to La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Its total width, including the four lanes, shoulders, and median, will be 23.6 metres, providing ample space for safe and efficient traffic flow, the release noted.
With a height of 50 metres, the bridge is specifically designed to accommodate Handymax vessels passing underneath. The minimum horizontal width of the navigation span is 210 metres, but the final design is anticipated to have a more extensive horizontal span. Importantly, this bridge is engineered with a lifespan of 100 years, the DPI noted.
This project is expected to be completed within 24 months, with the major works scheduled for completion on December 31, 2024. “Its ambitious scope and transformative potential underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and facilitating safer and more efficient transportation throughout the region,” the release added.