Being prepared in the engineering design field

Dear Editor,
Please permit me to address the Minister of Public Works, responsible civil engineers and all citizens.
I first feel obliged to congratulate the Government and people of Guyana for undertaking the building of a permanent concrete bridge across the Demerara River. This would be the pinnacle of infrastructure engineering on a grand scale in this country. I hope at the end of this we would have locals that can replicate this feat on a smaller scale, safely bridging the many rivers in our country. Business and commerce are greatly augmented by developments in transport, which translates to increase standard of living.
Some of the most complex machines built by intensive engineering design and testing- both destructive and non-destructive are, aeroplanes. Yet during operation, manufactures and regulatory authorities have to issue Service Bulletins and Directives to add to, change and/or modify these aeroplanes due to occurrences that were not anticipated at design. Knowing this I have some suggestions/questions with regards to this Bridge:
1. We keep the old floating bridge operational for 6 months after the opening of the new bridge. During this time maintenance on the old bridge can bring it up to almost new, so that when it is eventually moved, it will be trouble free for a longer time at its new location.
2. Do we have sensors or method to measure sink and sink-rate of each individual concrete pylon? Do we know the expected sink-rate and the maximum difference in sink and sink-rate allowed?
3. Do we have sensors or method to monitor sills for cracking and deformation on which the concrete decks are placed?
4. Do we have sensors or method to monitor the concrete deck slabs movement? How much is allowed?
5. Are the concrete deck slabs all of the same dimensions? Do we have replacement slabs on-hand or the ability to make?
6. These same questions for the main load bearing cables and deck-hanging cables of the suspension part, the high-span.
Please do not view this as being negative but we have to be prepared. We would not want to put this bridge into operation and close it after 6 months for 2 years while we come up with a repair scheme and assembling equipment.

Yours sincerely,
Fazadh Khan,
Manager/Chief
Engineer
GuySuCo | Head
Office – Rose Hall
Airstrip.
Canje, Berbice,
Guyana