THE Yamatwao bridge in the South Rupununi, Region Nine, which collapsed last week as a flatbed truck carrying an excavator attempted to cross it, has been temporarily repaired, thereby allowing residents to access the communities in the area.
Hinterland engineer at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MOPI), Jeffrey Walcott told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the bridge’s site was cleared of the truck and the excavator, as well as other broken parts.
The temporary structure can only accommodate light vehicles and according to Walcott, “The Ministry is currently exploring the design and cost options for the reconstruction of a heavy-duty composite bridge which can accommodate heavier vehicles, as well as remedial works to the bridge approach.”
The owner of the truck, Cyril King, has financed the replacement of the decking and the bridge beams, the engineer disclosed even as the Ministry of Public Security and the Guyana Geology Mines Commission (GGMC) are assisting with further investigations into the matter.
On Monday, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said efforts will be made to have those road users, who were responsible for the collapse of the South Rupununi bridge, help finance the construction of a new bridge.
“The overweight vehicle overextended the bridge’s capabilities, thereby causing the collapse,” MOPI had said earlier.
Meanwhile, hinterland road users are being called on to adhere to weight limits, especially during the rainy season.
