A BRAND new Tiger Creek Bridge in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) has been constructed at a cost of $24M. The old structure collapsed some time ago under the weight of a heavy-duty truck belonging to a major trucking company.
As a consequence, traffic into Mahdia and surrounding areas had to be closed off and the Ministry of Public Works had to put an innovative system in place for motor vehicles to pass. Such included the clearing of vegetation and creating a bypass road.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, told this publication in an invited comment that the construction of the new bridge was awarded to one of the contractors in the area for fast mobilisation, since it was an emergency project.
According to him, the bridge, which is the main conduit into Region Eight, has been completed and traffic is moving again.
However, the ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), issued an advisory to commuters travelling to Mahdia that they need to observe the weight restrictions when crossing the new bridge.

All efforts are being made to facilitate opening to all vehicular traffic soonest.
Vehicles, namely motorcycles, cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, four wheel drive vehicles, small buses, small trucks and canters (unladen), light trailers, and single and tandem trucks (gross weight not exceeding 14 tonnes) can cross freely.
The following vehicles will be allowed to cross under supervision: large buses, single and tandem trucks, and trucks with large trailers. No exception will be made for those exceeding the Gross Weight restriction.

In accordance with the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulation, single axle loads are restricted to three metric tonnes, tandem axle loads are restricted to 4.5 metric tonnes and vehicle gross weights are restricted to 14 tonnes.
Vehicles not in compliance with the regulations will be required to utilise the bridge bypass. “The ministry sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused as we continue to urge commuters to exercise caution and to observe all the safety signs and directions when approaching and crossing the bridge,” the advisory said.