Govt to go after trucks that ignore weight limit – Sinking High St bridge

The Ministry of Public Works will be working with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to go after heavy-duty trucks that ignore weight restrictions on the corners of High and Cowan Streets, where the bridge is sinking. Last week, the Ministry announced a 10-tonne weight limit for trucks traversing the bridge, located near the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) headquarters, after signs of structural settlement were observed. As a result of the significant sinking, which was attributed to the frequent passage of heavy trucks and the ageing condition of the structure, operators exceeding the imposed limit were advised to use alternative routes to prevent further damage to the bridge on a main thoroughfare in Georgetown.

But during an inspection at the bridge on Saturday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill caught a heavy truck driving out of Cowan Street onto High Street. That truck, coincidentally was from the Public Works Ministry. The Minister intercepted the truck on the bridge and ordered the driver to turn back – the entire interaction captured on a live stream. A visibly miffed Edghill subsequently made it clear that the weight restrictions apply to everyone. “That level of lawlessness and recklessness must come to an end. The rules apply to all,” the Minister declared.
In fact, the Public Works Minister indicated that they will use the smart cameras at the intersection to detect truck drivers who ignore the signs erected there, restricting trucks from driving along the High Street bridge to lay charges.
“Persons who come through this corridor with trucks, just like we do in other areas, we’ll have to utilise the services of the smart cameras and you’ll get your summons in the mail and you’ll appear before the court,” Edghill warned.

Short-term remedial works
The Minister was at the time inspecting short-term remedial works done by the Ministry’s Special Project Unit on Friday night. But even with these paving works, Edghill stressed that the bridge has been fixed. “We paved it so that the sink that was in the bridge will be levelled off, and [so] the cars and the buses will get a smoother ride, rather than having that bump where the bridge has sunk. Please don’t mistake the fact that you’re seeing fresh asphalt on the bridge, that the bridge has been fixed and everything is returned to normal… The structure at the bottom still cannot bear the weight of more than 10 tonnes. So, trucks and heavy-laden canters should avoid this area because it will collapse.” “We have put up the signage, no trucks allowed. And I’m saying, we’ll have to work with the police force and the enforcement. If you come through, we will have to see the cameras, get your vehicle number, and you’ll get the summons in the mail. Because you have to obey the traffic rules and the restrictions and the advisory that was put out,” he asserted.

Permanent fix
Meanwhile, Edghill disclosed that the Cabinet made a decision on Thursday last for a permanent fix at the bridge and that a plan has already been operationalised with the procurement stage already underway. “We’ll have to do it in a manner where most of the components will be precast off-site and then we dismantle and assemble [at the bridge] in the fastest possible manner. And that process has begun…. As soon as we can get the procurement process completed, we will dismantle and bring in the precast sections and get this bridge properly done.
“We’re asking for full cooperation. And we’re asking, particularly the businesses that operate… at the Kingston area, back of the Marriott, or you are from the hardware, or you’re moving rice into Georgetown, please choose other routes and don’t come to this bridge because it will collapse, and everybody will be in shambles,” the Public Works Minister cautioned. With the reconstruction of the bridge in the works, the Ministry has already reassured that those works will be carefully planned to minimise disruptions, given the bridge’s critical location and its importance to road users.