Load testing has been continuing on the new Demerara River bridge as it nears its opening date. Today, the load tests continue with 20 heavy duty trucks packed with sand, traversing the bridge repeatedly at the same time. Minister of Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, said the tests have been ongoing and in every instance, the result has been above expectations.

“Today, the testing has primarily been the cable stay section, or what you might want to call the high span. Since 8 a.m. this morning, various tests are being carried out that will be completed sometime after midnight, 2 a.m. tomorrow morning. There are different simulations, different things that you’re looking for, but I can say categorically, we have been exceeding expectations on every test. There was never any concern about if the bridge had the capacity to do what it was built to do, and that was because of, as I’ve been repeating over and over at every stage of construction testing is being done materials before they left the factories in china or wherever they were manufactured testing was done materials when they’re installed testing is being done so this is just in keeping with the quality control mechanism that has been built into the contract”.

The new high-span bridge, which replaces the old floating Demerara Harbour Bridge, is expected to open to traffic within weeks. Minister Edghill said once it is opened, he has no doubt that commuters will be pleased not only with the quality of the bridge, but also with crossing time that they will now save.

“We are proud that we can give the Guyanese people a product that is significant, a product that is high quality, and the people of Guyana will just love it. I’ve had the opportunity of driving over the bridge on Monday night from the west side to the east side, and it took me five minutes doing about 20 kilometers per hour, so i guess we will see all the things that we talked about, the reduction of travel time, people enjoying life at a better pace because they can do things, move at any time. No more long waiting lines for ships to pass. Those are things of the past”

With regards to concerns about the possible traffic build up that could come on the Heroes Highway, where the new bridge lands, Edghill said once drivers follow the rules of the road, there should be no issue on either side of the bridge.

“Of course, there will be delays from time to time, but I know people will want a good commute. There will be a good commute. All we have to ask the Guyanese people to do is observe the five C’s in road safety. Often times when you see there’s traffic congestion and backing up, somebody did some foolishness on the road. Even when there’s an accident, we could get vehicles to the side and keep moving. But when somebody decided they can’t wait, they’re going to bore, this person’s coming down in an angle where they’re supposed to be going up, that creates confusion. It happens on the East Coast, it happens on the East Bank. we are building out infrastructure to make life better for people, we just need them to exercise care and caution and consideration”, the Minister noted.

He said the Works Ministry will continue to work with the Traffic Department and other stakeholders to ensure the proper and safe use of the bridge and the roadways.

Minister Edghill said with the new Demerara River bridge completed, attention will now be paid to other major bridges being built around the country and those to be built soon.

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