DHB to carry out remedial works this weekend

Mar 22, 2014 News

– Heavy vehicles restricted

The pivot and A-frame at spans 59 and 60 on the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) are slated to be replaced over this weekend. Preparatory works to execute this pertinent operation has been ongoing for a while, with planning being a critical aspect.
This is according to Rawlston Adams, General Manager of the DHB yesterday during a brief interview with this publication. He noted that this is the third pivot and A-frame replacement exercise on the structure.

flashback: Personnel of the DHB changing the pivot at the western end.

Adams recalled that the first exercise was done on the western end of the structure when the bridge collapsed in July 2012. And, in September 2013, the second operation was done on the eastern end. This final replacement operation will be carried out on the western spans.
He enlightened that today and tomorrow the replacement exercise will begin at 05:00hrs. Adams is confident that personnel of the DHB could complete installing the components by Sunday midday but could not give a definitive timeline.
The exercise would not disrupt the flow of vehicular and marine traffic. However, heavy vehicles weighing in excess of 22.4 tons would not be allowed to traverse the structure until Monday.
Fabrication of the components was done by Courtney Benn Construction Services Limited. Adams was unable to provide the cost of this operation.
However, when management changed the pivot and A-frame at the eastern end, that operation cost way in excess of $5M with preparatory works consuming the bulk of the money. Adams had said that the pivot is a very small component in the whole scheme of things but is very important.