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Built 89 years ago, the Denham Bridge remains the ‘gateway’ to Guyana’s Interior
O’ Beautiful Guyana! …
By Davina Bagot
Kaieteur News – Situated on the edge of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is one of Guyana’s oldest pieces of infrastructure, the Denham Suspension Bridge.
Approaching the historical Denham Bridge (photo credit: Shaniel Sram)
The breath taking cable structure is a must-see when in Bartica (Photo By Marco Farouk Basir)
Prior to its rehabilitation in 2020, the bridge was used as a foot passage to commute between the two regions (Photo credit: Visit Guyana)
Vehicles crossing the Garraway Stream Bridge (photo credit: Shaniel Sram)
It was opened officially on November 6, 1933 after being constructed by a Scottish Civil Engineer and General Contractor, John Aldi.
The bridge, also known as the ‘Garraway Stream Bridge’ links the cozy town of Bartica with Region Seven (Potaro Siparuni), one of the country’s most popular mining districts. It is approximately 333 feet long and is supported by cables, which keeps it above the waterway just below. At both ends of the structure there is a single reinforced concrete tower, from which two steel trusses are suspended by cables connected to the towers. The cables, also known as stays, form a series of parallel lines. The Denham Bridge only allows one lane of traffic at a time.
Originally, it was built to accommodate 20 tonnes. In 2020, it was announced by the Coalition that rehabilitation works were conducted on the bridge to allow for light vehicles to transit. The road which connects Bartica to Mahdia- the capital of Region Seven- was not functioning for about 30 years due to its deplorable state. Upon its reopening, no more than 10 tonnes are allowed to cross. Flowing under the bridge is the mighty Potaro River.
The Denham Bridge was named after the then Colonial Governor of British Guiana, Sir Edward Denham. With the structure in place, former Minister David Patterson had explained that travel between the two hinterland locations is now possible in just four hours’ time. Prior to its rehabilitation, the ‘Waterfalls’ understands that the bridge was used as a pedestrian crosswalk between the two towns.
Though it remains an old architectural structure, the bridge is not very well-known to locals, especially outside of Bartica and Mahdia. Research shows that the legendary crossing was specifically constructed to shuttle explorers into the mining areas, rumoured to hold endless gold and diamonds. The country was known as ‘El Dorado’ a Spanish term that translates to ‘the Golden’ in English. The Montreal Gazette explains that the British Governor opened the bridge by cutting the ribbon with a golden pair of scissors.
Colonial Governor of British Guiana, Sir Edward Denham
The Denham Bridge, found some 120 miles from Bartica, was constructed long before the Demerara Harbour Bridge was built. That floating structure was opened only on July 2, 1978. The Garraway Stream Bridge is definitely a must-see when in Bartica. The antique cable design is definitely a beauty to behold- one of the many treasures some Guyanese are yet to lay eyes on in our ‘Beautiful Guyana!’
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