Bauxite barge slams into Demerara Harbour Bridge

…toll waived for stranded passengers to cross faster

A tug and barge transporting bauxite slammed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on Wednesday afternoon, causing the high span of the bridge to shift out of alignment.
The Bridge has since been reopened to light traffic. Drivers of trucks and other heavy vehicles will be advised when they will be able to use the Bridge.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the management of the DHB said that as a result of the situation, it waived the payment of tolls until 19:00h to ensure stranded passengers can cross the Bridge faster.
Following the incident Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, along with DHB Board Chairman Ravi Ramcharitar, General Manager Rawlston Adams and the technical staff were on-site to try to remedy the situation.
Additionally, the DHB management advices that Marine Vessels will not be allowed to transit under the High Span until further notice.
As a support measure, the Maritime Department had also issued instructions for water taxis plying the Georgetown-Vreed-en-Hoop route to continue to operate until repairs to the Bridge were completed.