CABINET this week granted its no-objection to a contract worth US$109,000 for the procurement of a mobile asphalt plant for the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Roger Luncheon announced. 

Speaking at his post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday at the Office of the President, in Georgetown, he explained that the DHB has responsibilities for the fixed asphalt plant but they are now moving to acquire the mobile plant, which is equivalent to $21.8M.
Cabinet had earlier given its no-objection to several contracts in the public works sector, which would result in strengthening the DHB.
Recently, $97.7M was approved for the rehabilitation of 18 pontoons and the fabrication of connecting posts. In excess of $45M were approved for the supply and installation of cluster piles at the bridge, and more than $140M were granted for fabrication and installation of two extra-large pontoons.
Cabinet had also approved more than $66M for the supply of 8,000 feet of one-inch DIA hot dip galvanized anchor chains and 180 ‘snatch’ blocks, which would aid navigation at the bridge. Moreover, $25M would be spent to rehabilitate 80 buoys for the bridge.
It had further signalled its ‘green light’ for a $57,200 Euros contract to supply and install a ‘PLC’ system for the retractor/acceptor span on the bridge. That ‘PLC’ system would replace an existing system that was installed decades ago, and has not been keeping up with the rigorous demands of traffic and the opening and closing of the bridge.
A mishap on the DHB last year saw the jaws of a temporary pontoon failing, resulting in the section of the overpass between spans 60 and 61 submerging.
The 6,074-foot Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is about 34 years old, is a crucial link across the Demerara River from Peter’s Hall in the east to Schoon Ord in the west. (Telesha Ramnarine)