The promised bridge for residents of Chesterfield, St. Mary is slated to be in place by the start of the next hurricane season. The bridge is one of seven that are now being fabricated in China for delivery to the National Works Agency (NWA) by the end of March.
Prime Minister, Andrew Holness last year made a promise to the residents that a structure would be erected in the area in order to ensure that the community is accessible during times of inclement weather. For years residents have at times had to brave flood waters in the Wag Water River, in order to access their homes.
Chief Executive Officer at the NWA, E.G. Hunter says that the bridge is being sourced under the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP) and is expected to be in Jamaica by the end of March. Some two million United States dollars is being spent to procure the seven bridges and associated parts.
He says that tenders will be invited this weekend for the civil works and that the process should be completed within a month. It is expected that when the process is completed, work to construct the bridge abutments and a centre pier will get underway.
The two span Compact 200 bridge which will be 180 feet long will be built mainly for the purposes of pedestrians but will be able accommodate small cars.
