Structural faults detected along Burnham Drive road

Shortly after repairs were conducted on a collapsed section of the Burnham Drive Road at Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), other structural faults have been detected. Only recently, a contract was handed over to Bella’s construction, which carried out repair works to a section of the roadway, which serves as one of the main thoroughfares in the Wismar community. However, according to Regional Chairman Renis Morian, there are issues with other parts of the road. He said sea defence, Government Ministers as well as officials from the Regional Works Committee have already been alerted of the situation.

Work being carried out to the collapsed section of Burnham Drive road in late last year
Work being carried out to the collapsed section of Burnham Drive road in late last year

“Burnham Drive got structural faults. I outlined it to them, based on the increase in vehicular traffic on Burnham Drive, the rise in high tide, we have a sink hole there, we have a depression by the tar road. Nothing has been done. I have also written to other agencies, sent letters to Ministers and (I am) awaiting response,” Morian said.

Additionally, he said the culvert situated approximately 25 yards from McNabb corner, Wismar, had also collapsed which led to a backlog of water in areas such as Canvas City, Half Mile, One Mile and Block 22. As a result, Morian said the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) had to be summoned, while he noted that he will conduct a follow-up to the situation on the ground.

“I ain’t get a word as to what next, but I’m going to be following up to know what next, what is to be done.”

Following the collapse at Burnham Drive, the Regional Chairman had made calls for a study to be conducted of the said road, which is situated a short distance away from the Demerara River. Morian also disclosed that there are even more structural faults along the thoroughfare which also leads to the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge.

“As soon as you come off the bridge, about a hundred yards, the road is collapsing there. When you come to about 250 yards where we’re working right now, that collapsed. When you come at the cinema (former Palm Tree cinema), there’s a huge hole. There’s erosion from the river right through… It’s not a case where you have a piecemeal, you have to do a study to know if there will be a disaster. One day the whole road might collapse with people because we don’t know what is happening,” Morian further stated.

He also pointed out that there is a “drop” and an “indentation” to other sections of the Burnham Drive road. About five other areas, the Regional Chairman said, also faces the same threat. He therefore made a call for hydraulics engineers from the Public Infrastructure Ministry to visit the location to provide advice on the way forward. The Ministry, he disclosed, is responsible for servicing the thoroughfare.