AT least two of the pedestrian overpasses on the East Bank Demerara have been vandalised and the Public Infrastructure Ministry is calling on citizens to do their part in reporting such illegal activities.

“Over the past few weeks, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure engineers have observed and inspected activities of theft and vandalism at the Providence and Diamond overpasses on the East Bank of Demerara,” the ministry said.

The elevator glass door at the Providence overpass has been broken, the CCTV cameras have been disconnected and electrical and solar panel panels have been stolen at the two facilities.

Vandals have also stolen the “No cycle” and “disable” signs at the conveniences.
Other destruction includes the removal of the corrugated electrical wire cover. The earthing connection was vandalised and protective cover stolen.

“The MoPI is calling on vandalisers to refrain from such activities since they are ultimately destroying much-needed infrastructure. Citizens are asked to report such activities to the nearest police station or the Ministry’s Public Relations Department on 592-227-0799,” the statement said.

First announced in 2016, the pedestrian overpasses on the East Bank were first opened in 2018 “to address road safety concerns” of pedestrians.

Prior, they had to cross the busy East Bank highway where a number of pedestrians have been struck down over the years.

The East Bank Demerara Road is among the busiest in the country, leading to the capital city, providing linkages to not only the villages along the way, but to Linden and the hinterland as well as the Demerara Harbour Bridge which leads to West Demerara, Essequibo and beyond.

The East Bank has a total of five overpasses at Houston, Eccles, Peter’s Hall, Providence and Diamond. The Houston, Eccles and Peter’s Hall bypasses were built by B&J Civil Works while those at Providence and Diamond were built by S. Jagmohan Hardware.