REPAIRS are being effected to the Berbice River Bridge after it malfunctioned on Friday evening causing a massive build-up of vehicular traffic. 

Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn in an interview yesterday, stated that engineers have temporarily fixed the bridge allowing the passage of vehicles, but it is still closed to ocean- going vessels until further notice.
He added that staffers at the bridge informed him about the incident around 18.00hrs on Friday.
Benn disclosed that the ministry had received assistance from engineers who are attached to the Demerara Harbour Bridge and also the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).
He stated that the problem involving a retractor span, is expected to be resolved in a matter of days.
The minister noted that “It appears as though the programmable logic controller on one of the units which close the bridge developed a defect and it could not close after a vessel [had] passed.”
He added that the repairs done to the bridge on Friday evening were temporary and works are continuing to rehabilitate the bridge in order to make it fully functional again.
Benn explained that the company has been in contact with the builders of the bridge and suppliers of parts and therefore he expects a full recovery within a few days.
The management of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. said in a release on Friday evening that they sincerely regretted the breakdown and apologised for the inconvenience caused.

(By Navendra Seoraj)