– current practice of surrendering tickets will be eliminated
MANAGEMENT of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation is moving to implement new systems at the facility that would enable them to better manage traffic traversing the structure.

To this end, and within two weeks, an almost 32-year-old practice currently being employed, the surrendering of tickets by motorists at the western end of the facility, will be eliminated.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Manager of  DHBC, Rawlston Adams, yesterday disclosed that Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are being installed at the facility and will aid the process, as well as allow for better security management.

And, aware of the need for vital agencies to network with this country’s law enforcement to aid National Security, Adams said the camera, through a VON network, will also be directly linked to the operations of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

With the aid of the cameras, a demonstration to which the Chronicle was privy, all activities and operations at the Bridge are screened, and this includes the purchase of ticket, and vehicles as they traverse the facility.
“This system allows us to view everything that goes on at the Bridge… the vehicle when a motorist approaches to purchase a ticket, the colour of the vehicle, the number plate, everything…,” said Adams.
He added that the cameras will also be outfitted with PTZ (Pan, Tilt and Zoom) to enable coverage of the entire compound.

On a daily basis, 7000 vehicles commute across one side of the 6,074-foot (1,851 m) long floating facility and in explaining the link with the police operations, Adams said: “This (here) is far more than traffic, this involves security of a national issue… The Bridge is the gateway from Region Four to Regions Two, Three and Seven, and as much as our new system will enable us to better offer the public a more efficient service, it also serves the purpose of national security where the police would be able to monitor the cameras in the event of any incident using info given to them.”
Touching on other improvements to make day to day operations more efficient and commuter friendly, the General Manager said persons can, at any time of the day, by use of a land-line telephone or cellular phone, dial 233-7008, Extension 121, to access information on the retraction schedule (closure) of the facility.
The postings available are for an entire week, and Adams assured that in the event of any changes, the public will be immediately notified via radio and television.
In the national budget for 2010, the DHBC has been allocated $705M to undertake Capital Works.
Of this amount, Adams said $622M has already been expended to procure decks, transoms, buoys, and distribution beams, and for the rehabilitation of pontoons in the continuous rehabilitation programme earmarked for the facility.
To date, 80 per cent of the transoms, the full complement of buoys and 90 per cent of the distribution beams have already been replaced.
Also, he said, Courtney Benn Contracting Services has commenced rehabilitation works on decks and pontoons.
The contractor is fabricating another 1300 decks which will represent the third tranche in receipt of decks from the firm.
The facility has in excess of 8000 decks and the firm had previously handed over completed products in 2008 and 2009.
Meanwhile, transit scales which have been positioned at both the east and west approaches to monitor overweight vehicles are operable, Adams said.