Final load testing on new Demerara River Bridge to last 24-48 hours

…over one dozen heavy-duty trucks to be used

Even with extensive testing conducted throughout the construction of the Demerara River Bridge to ensure its structural soundness in compliance with international standards, the highly anticipated structure will undergo a final post-construction load testing.

This was revealed by President Irfaan Ali in the wee hours of Thursday as he oversaw the final pour of cement to connect the eastern and western ends of the new US$262 million high-span cable-stayed bridge.
“Of course, on this high span, before the bridge is open, there will be the loading test… [That] is important on the high span, because as you know in a cable-stayed bridge, that is how they do the adjustments on the cable to ensure that everything is up to the standard,” the Head of State told reporters on the bridge.
According to Ali, however, “It’s important to note that throughout the process of building this bridge, the consultants and engineers would have conducted internationally certified methods and tests to ensure the bridge meets all the structural requirements as is required.”
In fact, similar sentiments were expressed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill as he explained that the final load-testing process will see the involvement of over one dozen heavy-duty trucks that will be stationary on the bridge for a particular period.
“When you talk about the load testing… there will be 16 trucks, each weighing 15 tonnes, that will be put at particular sections. A computer will be hooked up, and in a 24-to-48-hour period, there are certain readings that will be taken to talk about the movement of the cables and all the rest of it to ensure everything is aligned in keeping with the design standard,” the minister outlined to reporters.
Provisions for the conduct of the final load testing, Edghill contended, were always part of the plan and are even written in the contract.
“Nobody made us do this,” he maintained. The Public Works Minister further asserted that there is no question about the structural integrity of this critical piece of infrastructure.
At the time, he pointed out that as scores gathered on the bridge to witness the historic final pour of cement, there was a crane, weighing more than 700 tonnes, parked on the structure. Moreover, the crawlers used to transport the girders onto the bridge structure fetched about 160 tonnes.
“So, anybody who has any concern about if this bridge could take 100 tonnes, 200 tonnes, or 500 tonnes, it is proven,” Edghill posited.
He too emphasised that throughout the construction process, testing was done. “…at every stage, whatever is required for testing, the materials that were used on this bridge were tested in the factories. The concrete, the mix design, everything had to be tested,” the minister explained.
Nevertheless, President Ali, while further reassuring Guyanese that there was no compromise on the standards during the construction phase, commended the teams working on the bridge, including the contractor, China Railway Construction (International) Limited; the supervisory consultant, Politecnica; and the local technical team.
“I’m just so emotional about these guys because I know the pressure that I’ve placed on them… The contractors and the consultant are here; they can tell you… Instead of 10 engineers, 20 engineers came. They doubled up on the labour that was required. This is a tremendous accomplishment, you know, anywhere in the world to have this done in a [two-year] time frame. And as I said, we have not compromised any standards. All of the standards have been kept. And the consultants are here; they will sign off on the bridge.

There’s a defect liability period of two years, so you know everything; all of the safeguards are there,” the Head of State stressed.
The new crossing, which is set to be commissioned in a matter of days, consists of four lanes and spans 2.6 kilometres, connecting Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara.
At its highest point, the bridge is 50 metres, which means Handymax vessels can pass comfortably underneath. With a lifespan of 100 years, the bridge is expected to mitigate current traffic woes and congestion.
The new crossing will operate 24/7, toll-free, and accommodate vehicles of all sizes and weights, with a maximum speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour. Its design will also feature the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), the country’s second-highest national award.