Sinanan promises new bridge for Bayshore

Construction work on the bridge which collapsed last week at Bayshore, Marabella, is expected to begin with a month.

Works and Transport Minister Works Minister Rohan Sinanan yesterday told Newsday that tenders will be sent out by his ministry’s Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency Unit (PURE) soon.

He said the existing structure will have to be demolished for construction to begin on the new bridge. He visited the site two months ago with MP Faris Al Rawi when a decision was taken to replace the dilapidated bridge.

The century-old bridge collapsed cutting off more than 12 families which continued to use the pathway although it had been closed off by the San Fernando City Corporation earlier this year.

Sinanan also said his ministry was working on the roads in Rousillac and La Brea.

“We have a team there constantly patching (potholes). There is always constant movement on the road. That road has been re-paved twice within the last five years. We have one patching gang in every district,” he said, adding that an additional patching gang was deployed in that area.

He expects that, when completed, the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway will ease the traffic of heavy vehicles on the Southern Main Road, after which ‘comprehensive repair works’ will begin.

“It does not make sense right now because it is not going to last. The Highways Division was down there last week with a crew to bring some remedial/ temporary measures,” he added.