Ministry seeking penalties after bridge collapse on Lethem trail

Jun 05, 2018 News

The scene shortly after the bridge collapsed

Authorities are examining the possibilities of holding someone culpable for last week’s collapse of a South Rupununi bridge which left communities cut off from access.
According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, he has asked the Ministry of Public Security and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, to provide information on the identities of the truck and excavator owners.
Patterson, speaking to reporters after the commissioning of the Kitty seawall roundabout yesterday, said the two entities will have to determine if the excavator was legally in the area.
According to the minister, his ministry is not involved in any work in the area at the moment.
The idea is to see if the cost can be recouped, he said.
Over the weekend, it was reported that the Yamatwao Bridge in South Rupununi, Region Nine, collapsed.
A team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was dispatched to assess the severity of the damage and cost to rehabilitate it.
According to the Ministry, over the weekend, the collapse occurred as a flatbed truck carrying an excavator attempted to cross the bridge. The overweight vehicle caused the collapse.
Traffic to and from Lethem was halted as a result.
The trail is a main access between Lethem and Linden and a key link for supplies.
“This incident compounds the Ministry’s call to road users within the hinterland to strictly adhere to weight limits, especially during the wet season, since non-adherence can lead to structural failures, as demonstrated now.”
The ministry said that the incident is not the first of its kind, and road users are reminded that they will be held accountable in instances of non-compliance to weight limits.
According to the ministry, a bridge collapse also affect communities, since they make traffic impassable and cut entire villages off from the rest of the country.
The Ministry called on road users to remain cognisant of their responsibilities to properly use the roadways.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News