COURTNEY Benn Constructing Services Ltd (CBCSL) yesterday morning hosted the media, at its Water Street, Georgetown offices, to give an update on the installation of new steel plates on the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).

CBCSL Chief Executive Officer, Courtney Benn and Darren Nurse, Manager with shipment of hydroxyl paint for DHBC yesterday.

CBCSL Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Courtney Benn, told reporters that one shipment of the materials has arrived but they are awaiting a second which is expected next week Monday.

He said that hydroxyl paint also came and his company has completed work on both approaches to the bridge, having started a month ago.

Benn said CBCSL has given the Government a 10-year warranty on the structure and, with proper maintenance, 15 years could be added its 30-year-old life span.

He said other works being undertaken by CBCSL include a new pontoon for Moleson Creek, costing $28M, to replace the existing one at the Corentyne ferry and another for the Ministry of Agriculture.

General Manager, Mr. Rawlston Adams, said the DHB is presently being rehabilitated, with 2,000 plates being installed and he appealed to commuters to adhere to the speed limit at all times.

Construction of steel plates for DHBC yesterday at CBCSL.

He said truck drivers are the ones speeding on the overpass.

Adams said the weighing scale on the eastern side of the bridge is operational and the western side one will be put into operation shortly.

He said DHB is in the process of drafting a contract for the placing of cameras not only for monitoring the bridge operations but in the interest of national security.

Adams pointed out that the DHB is the gateway from West Coast Demerara to the East and traffic management it is very important.

He said the bridge is being continuously maintained and, this year alone, the sum of $700M was spent on capital works.

Adams admitted that the DHB does not sustain itself and suggested that the toll should be raised as the cost to maintain it is increasing.
However, the Government is committed to upgrading it.