How Behind the Bridge got its name

THE EDITOR: It is interesting how much we take the uniqueness of our environment for granted, unconcerned with the treasures that make TT so very special. One such uniqueness is East Port of Spain, legendarily and intimately referred to as “Behind the Bridge.” It is home to a community that has gifted our nation with some of our most brilliant scholars and leaders of all walks of life. It is the birthplace of the steel pan.

But hardly have we given thought to how the area became known as Behind the Bridge.

Let’s explore a theory together. Join me on a journey through Port of Spain from St Ann’s in the north to the Beetham Highway in the south.

We are moving along on the St Ann’s Road starting from Cascade Road, just east of St Ann’s Avenue, the narrow roadway leading to the St Ann’s Roman Catholic Church. We continue along Queen’s Park East straight into and along Charlotte Street, passing through Chinatown. When we get to South Quay, we can go no further in a straight line unless we negotiate our way through the PTSC Bus Terminal and across the Priority Bus Route on to the Beetham Highway, our final destination. On a day of light traffic, it is really a short ten-minute journey.

There are 18 streets which either intersect or branch off from the roadway on which we have just journeyed. They are Cascade Road, Coblentz Avenue, Lady Young Road, Belmont Circular Road (north entrance), Cadiz Road, Jerningham Avenue, Belmont Circular Road (south entrance), Oxford Street, Observatory Street, Park Street, Duke Street, Prince Street, Queen Street (now Janelle “Penny” Commissiong-Chow Street) Independence Square North, Independence Square South, South Quay, the Priority Bus Route and the Beetham Highway.

To get to East Port of Spain from any part of the roadway along which we have just journeyed, we must turn left and traverse one or more of the 18 streets listed above. To do so we must travel across one of two rivers: the St Ann’s River which ends at Belmont Circular Road (north entrance) or the Dry River which begins at the point where the St Ann’s River ends.

Except we transfer to a plane, we cannot cross any one of those two rivers without navigating one of 18 bridges. Yes, at least one of 18 bridges, forever lying unobtrusively, day in, day out, each one just waiting without fanfare to facilitate you. You hardly recognise them. We take them for granted.

They are the 18 bridges which connect that roadway on which you have just journeyed (from St Ann’s to the Beetham Highway) to the east side of Port of Spain.

Is it possible that this could be the shortest stretch of land worldwide over which has been constructed, in such close proximity to one another, as many as 18 strong, sturdy and dependable bridges? Is it possible that this may be the genesis of how East Port of Spain became known as Behind the Bridge? That it was in the subconscious that the inhabitants of Port of Spain in general and/or the residents of East Port of Spain themselves, when giving directions or referring to that part of the city, found that, to cut a long story short, it was descriptive enough to simply say “Behind the Bridge,” subliminally influenced by the 18 lifelong bridges that link the west and the east of Port of Spain?

It seems clear that with the passage of successive generations, Behind the Bridge unwittingly became interwoven in our consciousness and indelibly stamped upon the topography of East Port of Spain.

What is so marvellous is that these 18 bridges have proven themselves beyond measure. They have stood the test of time, requiring little maintenance or repair: another mark of distinction on the quality of local civil engineering.

It is of no mean significance that this infrastructural phenomenon of such unheralded repute, an impressive assembly of 18 engineeringly sound bridges, subjected to vehicular and pedestrian load day and night are what maintain the life of the city and the livelihood of so many citizens especially from Behind the Bridge. And they do so in spite of their structural integrity being threatened time after time with the ravaging forces of wild and reckless overflowing river water and accompanying debris, quietly, dutifully and defiantly holding the fort without fear nor trembling, admiration or acclaim, but earning for East Port of Spain the everlasting endearment echoed in countless circles: Behind the Bridge.

Can a way be found to make this unique battalion of 18 outstanding bridges a local and international tourist attraction, a national heritage? Think about it.

ROY MITCHELL

via e-mail