Latest update February 10th, 2025 2:25 PM
Canje Bridge is deteriorating
Motorists in Berbice are not happy with the current state of the Canje River Bridge. The structure is badly damaged where the sections of the bridge are joined. There are growing craters at two sections, and as such, motorists swerve to avoid them but then in so doing, they swerve into the lanes of oncoming traffic.
The gaping holes that have developed across various sections of the bridge.
Drivers related their confusion with this newspaper in that even the buffer rubbers at the various sections of the decades- old structure have disintegrated, causing much damage to their vehicle tyres.
“Tyres are very expensive and the buffer rubbers have worn themselves out…the government should so something quickly,” said one irate motorist.
In recent times, steel plates were soldered to a few of the joined sections of the bridge where the buffer rubbers were damaged; however, many of the joined sections are still sealed with the worn- out damaged buffer rubbers.
Concerns are being raised, too, about the weight being carried on the structure. The bridge was built to carry just 32 tons, however, large, heavy- duty machinery—sometimes several at one time—make their way across the bridge regularly.
When contacted, Region Six Chairman, David Armogan, acknowledged that works are needed on the structure. He added that he has since alerted officials from the Ministry of Public Works several months ago but was made to understand that the special buffer rubbers have to be procured from overseas.
“I alerted people from Public Works [Ministry], months ago…the same time they came to do the lights; they didn’t fix the bridge,” he stated.
“I had raised the bridge lights [issue] as well as the openings on [sections of] the bridge, but apparently, they got to get a [special] type of rubber that they got to bring in from overseas, so that is expected to arrive shortly.”
Additionally, several concerns have been raised by people about young boys who regularly jump off the Canje River Bridge into the Canje River. The activity, which has been ongoing for years, usually takes place on weekends.
The boys would gather in groups and launch their jumps from the uppermost section of the bridge, into the Canje River below, a tributary of the Berbice River.
Residents of Sheet Anchor, Canje have told Kaieteur News that the police had warned the boys about the unsafe practice on a few occasions but the activities are still continuing. Huge groups of onlookers would gather both on the Canje Bridge and at the bottom to have a view of the stunt.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Forward to the past
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-Guyana’s debt profile, both foreign and domestic, has become a focal point of economic... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
