Icacos residents to get new bridge

SEETA PERSAD

Relief for marooned Icacos residents is on the way as efforts to install a bailey bridge over the Saltwater Bridge, the only access road in and out of the remote area, appear to be on the horizon.

On November 6, the bridge collapsed due to seawater blast and general wear and tear. Close to 500 residents including schoolchildren from the fishing community were unable to travel out of the area. Councillor Shankar Teelucksingh said discussions are underway with the Minister of Local Government Kazim Hosein, to fast track installation of a bailey bridge.

In the interim, the area near the bridge was backfilled to allow light vehicles to pass. “The bridge was in a dilapidated state for years and villagers have been protesting time and time again for the reconstruction of this bridge,” Teelucksingh said, adding that the Highways Division of the Ministry of Works visited the bridge to assess the situation.

“This bridge needs to be replaced within quick time as hundreds of people used this bridge on a daily basis.” Teelucksingh said the Highways Division issued a warning that no heavy trucks should use the bridge until it is repaired. He also said the roads in the area are in a terrible condition after recent flooding.