Government Tasked With Preserving Aging Bridges

Several road improvement projects were undertaken by the Government geared towards improving traffic flow across the island. Concerns were however raised about the state of bridges and whether they would be included in the upgrading works. Prime Minister Andrew Holness admits that preserving bridges and fixing those that are structurally deficient is an issue being taken on by the government.

“I don’t think that there has been another Government in its first term in four and a half years that has replaced or upgraded or repaired as many bridges as this Government has done,” said Prime Minister Holness. ” So, we don’t only say we care, we demonstrate visibly and tangibly that we care. We care that your community is separated. We care that you are inconvenienced in crossing the bridge. We care that your children are at peril. We care and we don’t only come and profess it and say it but we show it. We demonstrate it.”

The Prime Minister says funds have been allocated for the rehabilitation and construction of other bridges across the island identified by the National Works Agency. 

“Portland has one of the highest concentrations of bridges on the island. That is based on the high number of rivers and waterways in your parish,” said Prime Minister Holness. ” The National Works Agency’s records suggest that Portland has one hundred and eleven bridges or bridge structures. The first time I walked on a swing bridge was right here in this parish.”

Ninety-eight of those bridges continue to serve the function for which they were designed but 13 have been listed as defective, requiring major rehabilitation.

“Some of which have been closed or recommended for close,” he said. ” The Tranquility and East Palm bridges are among the most recent structures to be replaced in the parish. The Tranquility bridge in Western Portland was identified for replacement and upgrade in 2017 and was replaced in 2018 under a $34.4 million contract. So, that’s another bridge which was done in record time in this parish.”