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Second Harbour Bridge scale still unfinished
The truck scale being constructed at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is yet to be completed.
General Manager, Rawlston Adams, last month, noted that the laying of the body of the truck scale had already been completed. At the same time, he also noted that the wiring of the bridge was being done.
Since then the scale has had its base installed and a toll booth has been constructed. However, the approach and departure routes to the scale have not yet been constructed.
The scale on the Eastern end of the DHB has still not been completed.
Commuters who cross the DHB on a daily basis have also noted that the scale has not yet been completed.
One of the commuters said that he thought the management of the DHB was channelling their efforts into the repairs of the DHB itself, after President Bharrat Jagdeo had sternly reprimanded them (management of the DHB) for the sad state of disrepair it had fallen into, rather than into the construction of the scale.
Speaking with Kaieteur News, one of the engineers at the DHB said that the construction of the truck scale was a project that was undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works. However, he said that bad weather may have held up the construction of the scale.
Added to this, the engineer also said that he had heard that some modifications to the ramps of the scale were needed. The current ramps, he said, could not accommodate some of the low bed trailers in Guyana.
“They (low beds) will not be able to climb the ramp to get onto the scale,” said the engineer, “the inclination of the ramps is too steep for them.”
Meanwhile, when the Ministry of Public Works was contacted concerning the scale, personnel at the Ministry said that the only person who would be able to comment about the scale was the Minister himself.
No definite word has yet been heard from any of the parties involved as to when the scale will be completed and will start functioning.
The scale will be used to weigh heavy duty trucks, low bed trailers and other heavy vehicles. The installation of this scale is necessary, sources at the DHB say, as these heavy duty vehicles pay to cross the bridge according to their weight.
A similar scale was installed on the other end of the DHB years ago, and is apparently still functioning. Vehicles pay a toll to cross the DHB when travelling from the eastern side to the western side, but pay no toll on the return trip.
The scale is being installed so that heavy duty vehicles can be weighed before crossing; if they are over a set weight then they will be asked to pay for the extra weight.
The construction of the scale should not hamper the flow of traffic in the vicinity of the DHB, but commuters are uncertain, given the already dreadful state of traffic near the DHB, especially in the mornings.
At present, the DHB is said to be able to accommodate approximately 35 tonnes of weight.
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