–Ministry of Public Infrastructure team dispatched to assess situation 

A team of officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has been dispatched to the South Rupununi to assess the damage done and cost to rebuild a key bridge which collapsed under the weight of a truck which was ferrying an excavator on Friday afternoon.

According to a release from the MPI, it was reported that the Yamatwao Bridge collapsed under the overweight vehicle which over-extended the bridge’s capabilities, thereby causing the collapse.

“This incident compounds the Ministry’s call to road users within the hinterland to strictly adhere to weight limits, especially during the wet season, since non-adherence can lead to structural failures, as demonstrated now,” the MPI said.

It was noted that the incident is not the first of its kind and the MPI is reminding road users that they will be held accountable in instances of non-compliance to weight limits.

It was also noted that bridge collapses also affect communities, since they make traffic impassable and cut entire villages off from the rest of the country and road users are urged to remain cognisant of their responsibilities to properly use the roadways.

Toshao of Shulinab Nicolas Fredericks noted on social media that around 1730hrs on Friday the truck which belongs to a Brazilian miner was crossing the bridge when it fell in.

“Now we in the South Rupununi are cut off in the rain season making it already difficult now this. No traffic is passable presently, not sure for how long,” he said.He suggested that the miner should stand all expenses to rebuild the bridge.