THE Ministry of Public Works and Communications has moved to protect the Lethem/Linden road from further deterioration by imposing restrictions on the size of trucks traversing it and the amount of load they can carry.
An advisory from the ministry stated that, as from this week, single rear axle trucks will be allowed a maximum of three tons or 17 drums of fuel or 55 (120 pounds) bags of flour or sugar.
Double rear axle trucks can take, at most, five tons or 29 drums of fuel or 92 (120lbs) bags of flour or sugar.
Trucks larger than any of the two types stipulated will not be permitted access.
Engineering Coordinator for the Works Services Group of the Ministry, Mr. Leon Goring said, yesterday, that trucks will be weighed at Linden before the start of their journey and also at Kurupukari, roughly halfway to Lethem.
He emphasised that drivers not in compliance will be required to discharge any excess weight on the spot or make some other arrangement for its transportation before they proceed with the acceptable amount.
Goring said the impositions are necessary because sections of the Kurupukari to Lethem route are currently flooded, due to high intensity torrential rainfall over the past month.
There is severe road erosion at certain locations and saturated sections as well as damaged bridges and a failed culvert, he explained.
Goring said work is, currently, ongoing to restore the road to its original state, necessitating the weight restrictions and he implored truck drivers to ensure they comply with them, for the benefit of all who use the road, until further notice. (Clifford Stanley)