Corroded components changed on Demerara Harbour Bridge

Nov 26, 2012 News

Management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) revisited span 61 of the bridge that collapsed in July over the weekend and successfully changed the pivots and distribution beams that support that section.

Rehabilitative works being executed at span 61 of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The ‘A’ frame- the component found between the pivots and distribution beam- was changed during the first operation when the bridge sank.
In July, the DHB collapsed, after two temporary pontoons located at the western end of the bridge sank. The pontoons were facilitating maintenance and rehabilitative works between spans 60 and 61, situated near the western end.
General Manager of DHB, Rawlston Adams, had explained that the two temporary pontoons placed in that section to facilitate the change of the ‘A’ frames, which were severely corroded and damaged, sank and caused the spans to submerge.
According to Adams, during an interview at the DHB yesterday, those two old pontoons are no longer used by the bridge to facilitate works. In fact, two new pontoons acquired by Management to facilitate works by the retractor span were used as temporary pontoons for the operations.
To facilitate the operation original pivots bought for the bridge over 34 years ago were modified and utilized.
The operation started Saturday at around 08:00 hrs and the major works were completed by 17:00 hrs the same day. Minor works were executed yesterday and lasted for about four hours.
Maintenance works and similar operations have become a feature of DHB which has outlived its intended lifespan.
Adams assured that from a structural stand point the bridge is in a good enough condition to transport people but like any structure it requires maintenance. He reminded that the bridge will be 35 years old next July.

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