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DHB to close July month-end for three days
…to allow for installation of new $1.2B ‘span nine’ retractor
Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Public Works on Saturday announced that during the last week of July the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) will be closed to facilitate the installation of the new $1.2 billion span nine retractor on the bridge.
In a statement, the Ministry stated the temporarily closure will start from 23:59 pm on July 24, 2023 to 11:59 pm July 27, 2023.
Advised by his technical staff at the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said the dates were chosen based on tide between July 24 and 29. Additionally, the Ministry said that the logistics for the span nine replacement was also meticulously planned during the closure of the school term, to ensure a smooth transition, and as little inconvenience to the public as possible.
The new span nine which will be installed in the last week of July.
It should be noted that the Ministry’s notice is being publicized made one month ahead of schedule with the aim of ensuring persons and businesses alike alter their schedules accordingly. Additionally, persons travelling out of the country at the time of the closure, those with doctors’ appointments and other important engagements are being urged to note these changes, the ministry said.
Minister Edghill related also the government understands the significance of this replacement and is committed to seeing this project through, as this new retractor which spans 170 feet long and 40 feet wide and is valued at $1.2 billion, will result in a much smoother operation (retractability) in the future, which will also enable wider vessels to pass through the channel.
The Minister is appealing to commuters and businesses for their understanding and support during these three days of closure of the bridge, as the replacement of span nine cannot be done while traffic is flowing.
Last September, the bridge’s span nine was damaged when the Panamanian flagged vessel, MV Tradewinds Passion, crashed into the bridge during a retraction period and rendered the bridge inoperable for several days.
Since then, that damaged section of the bridge had to be repaired several times, while plans were being made to replace the unit altogether. Repairs to span nine were undertaken by a local company, Industrial Fabrications Inc. (InFab), which was completed in late 2022.
In May this year, span nine was transported from the dockyard to the bridge for the perfect time and tide for installation.
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