Vandals have again targeted National Works Agency structures, in the parishes of St. Andrew and St. Catherine. Over the last 24 hours, two bridges, one in each parish have had safety rails removed.
Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw says portions of the safety rails of the recently completed Banbury Bridge in Linstead, St. Catherine have been removed.
The bridge which was completed at a cost of 40 million dollars, was built with sidewalks to assist with pedestrian safety. The rails also form part of the safety feature of this bridge, which sits about 40 feet above the Black River.
Mr. Shaw says the removal of the rails will significantly compromise the safety of both motorists and pedestrians, especially small school aged children.
In St. Andrew, the inner rails of the bridge spanning the Sandy Gully, near Pembroke Hall, along the Washington Boulevard have been removed.
Mr. Shaw says NWA officers inspected the bridge today and found that the inner rails of the western carriage way were missing.
He is urging residents of communities where there are bridges, to be vigilant in helping to protect this most important asset.
Mr. Shaw also stated that replacing these rails can cost as much as one million dollars.
