Vehicles weighing up to 18 tonnes only allowed to cross DHB between midnight and 4am

Vehicles weighing 18 tonnes and under are now allowed to traverse the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Public Works Ministry has announced.
This took effect as of Tuesday midnight. According to the Ministry, this will only be facilitated under a special arrangement.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill is quoted as saying that following another inspection of the Demerara Harbour Bridge by structural engineers, the Bridge’s Management Team has advised that the retractor span can accommodate 18 tonnes with specific restrictions.
“Firstly, structural engineers are recommending that the weight of 18 tonnes and under be allowed to cross the bridge, but only between the hours of 00:00hrs (12:00) to 04:00hrs (AM), when there is far less traffic on the bridge,” Edghill is quoted as saying.

“There is also a stipulation with the speed limit, drivers must adhere to the speed limit of 32Km/h while traversing in one direction at a time,” he added.
The Public Works Minister said shift supervisors, along with the special constabulary ranks will be closely monitoring the transit of vehicles on the bridge to ensure adherence to the temporary special arrangements.
“I want to reiterate my gratitude to commuters and drivers for their patience during this unexpected ordeal and urge them to use the bridge with care, I implore you to follow the rules, your safety is very important, and we want you to reach your destination safely,” Minister Edghill emphasised.
On Monday evening, the bridge was reopened for light vehicular traffic and trucks up to 12 tonnes following two days of closure after a fuel vessel collided with the floating structure.
At the reopening, Minister Edghill had noted that the Government will have to get two pontoons on an emergency basis.
Meanwhile, the pilot of the MV Trade Wind Passion, the Panamanian fuel ship that was transporting fuel when it crashed into the bridge, remains confined to the ship along with his crew.
Reports are that the MV Trade Wind Passion was transporting fuel to the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil); it was heading south and was the last of five vessels to cross the bridge, when it collided with the bridge.
A Board of Inquiry is meanwhile continuing its probe into the incident, after which they will be expected to make their recommendations and establish culpability where necessary. The Board has seven days in which to conclude its investigation.
Moreover, with respect to DHB Ship Supervisor, Andy Duke, who was directing the vessel through the retraction and attempted to get it to stop after realising it was out of alignment, Edghill had said that he is still hospitalised with his fractured leg and may have to undergo surgery. At the time of the incident, Duke was injured after he had to jump from his post to get out of the path of the vessel that eventually crashed into the bridge. (G11)