Temporary closure of DHB to facilitate transom change

Aug 14, 2014 News

The Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) will be closed to vehicular traffic for several hours between August 17 and 18, to facilitate the changing of a beam on the viaduct.

Demerara Harbour Bridge

Personnel of DHB Corporation would commence changing the transom (a beam) at span 13 at 22:00hrs on August 17, and are expected to conclude works at 03:00 hrs the following morning.
During an interview with this publication, yesterday, Rawlston Adams, General Manager of the DHBC related that this operation is the first of six planned exercises. The transoms between spans 10 and 13 need to be replaced. This need was observed during regular maintenance of the structure.
After this operation, management will revisit the drawing board to decide when the next transom change will be executed.
Adams said that the six transoms were fabricated by Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited at $2.5 M per one. Revenue would not be lost during this operation since there is no other alternative for vehicles to reach to the west side. It is unlikely there will be a heavy traffic build-up on the east end, since the operation is scheduled during the off-peak hours, he said.
This exercise is part of the entity’s continuous efforts to maintain the 36-year-old structure. The DHB has outlived its lifespan but exists owing to daily maintenance and regular replacement of parts and components. Construction of a new bridge is in the pipeline.

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