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Harbour Bridge requires Govt. subvention again
– significant losses being experienced
General Manager, Rawlston Adams
Management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, challenged with an increase of almost 20% in traffic over the last year, says that it is experiencing significant losses and will be asking government for subvention again.
Last year, the bridge raked in $357M, a 20% increase from 2008, but several major projects including new decks, buoys, transoms, and pontoons, saw government stepping up with over $700M in subsidies.
This year, says General Manager, Rawlston Adams, the bridge management estimates that it may ask for a similar amount to carry out critical works.
Speaking to reporters yesterday on the performance of the bridge over the past year, Adams, who underscored the importance of the structure to the country, noted that key works including dredging have the facility now floating freely after four years.
It involved over 780 hours of dredging.
With regards to the traffic on the bridge, on a daily average, more than 6,400 vehicles, or 16% more, use it on a daily basis, the General Manager disclosed.
Over the past year, there was also a significant increase in river traffic, with tugs and barges posing a headache for the management, with respect to when is the appropriate time to open.
To deal with the increase in traffic last year and managing the buildup, especially in the morning rush hours, the bridge officials were forced to stop traffic from crossing from the eastern end and allowing a two-lane access from the western side.
This was a huge success in easing the traffic woes and a half-hour crossing time has now been reduced to six minutes.
This year, in additional to ongoing works, attention will be placed to rehabilitate the ramp and improve the collision protection.
Last year, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company was also handed contracts to maintain bridges on the Railway Embankment and in the Moleson Creek, Berbice area. This saw some $66M being added to its revenue collection.
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