Jordan promises intervention in Mackenzie/Wismar bridge issue

Finance Minister Winston Jordan has made a promise to Lindeners, to relay their concerns to Government as it relates to issues surrounding the deplorable state of the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge at Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Lindeners on Sunday sought the intervention during a ministerial outreach to the mining town. Linden Municipal Councillor Lennox Gasper and Regional Councillor Gordon Callender were adamant during the outreach, stating that immediate attention should be given to the almost 50-year-old bridge. Through up-close photos, Councillor Gasper recently brought to fore the eroded state of the centre span of the bridge. The bridge, which serves as the lone link between the Mackenzie and Wismar shores, appears to be severely corroded. The photos which were shared over 100 times on social media renewed calls by citizens for attention to be given to the said bridge. Councillor Callender, who spoke very passionately on the issue during the outreach, noted that the bridge is presently in a terrible state and on the verge of collapse, as he asked that the issue of the urgent repair of the bridge be taken to Parliament.
“Every other week, monies are spending on that bridge, for some part. It must stop!” the Councillor said, as other residents in attendance chimed in with loud applause. He also made calls for large timber and container trucks to cease use of the bridge, until the situation is repaired, as he pointed out that those sorts of vehicles are responsible for further damages and deterioration of the structure’s integrity. Callender suggested those vehicles utilise pantoons or sea cranes in the meantime or until a new bridge is erected. After listening to the concerns raised, Minister Jordan noted that the issue is very “frightening”. He said while he was aware of a design for the construction of a new bridge across the Demerara River, he was unsure as to what point it is currently at and promised to relay concerns to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson.
“I will ask them to have a team of engineers to come and inspect the bridge…,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Councillor Gasper sought answers on how soon the bridge could be returned to the municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC), stressing that the Council is currently in serious debt.
Jordan said he had issued instructions for the bridge, currently managed by the Linmine Secretariat and LM&TC to be returned to the municipality. In response, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linmine Secretariat, Horace James, said there were concerns over the capacity of the past Council to continue the bridge project and a formula which would mean more benefit for the municipality was arrived at.
According to James, all information was passed on to the present Council and the municipality was included on the bridge committee.  In the meantime, James said continuous regular maintenance is being carried out at the bridge so as to ensure that it stays in regular operation.