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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Pictured is the Ferry Bridge that connects Great Exuma to Little Exuma. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)
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Exuma, The Bahamas – The Government is making preparations to carry out remedial repairs to the Ferry Bridge that connects Great Exuma to Little Exuma.
During a stopover visit to that island Government officials inspected the bridge. They included Hon. Neko C. Grant, Minister of Public Works and Transport and the Hon. Phenton Neymour, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Environment; Colin Higgs, permanent secretary and John Canton, director.
Project engineer Kirk Bullard said a cost effective plan for repair of the bridge and its columns above and below the water line is presently being prepared.
“Caribbean Coastal Services has already prepared a design for bridge repairs,” said Mr. Bullard during the visit to the island. “We are preparing the documents to tender this project to effectively get a cost estimate of the final cost to take remedial measures to the bridge so that it can be continually used in the near future.”
Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon. Neko C. Grant (right) chats with Director John Canton (left) and Kirk Bullard, project engineer during an inspection of the George Town dock in Exuma. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)
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He explained that the column support system for the bridge has “grossly” deteriorated, the concrete is delaminated and the steel has begun to corrode.
A weight restriction of 1 1/2 tonnes has been placed on vehicles using the bridge. The reduced tonnage is a safety measure, said Mr. Bullard.
“We know the load capability of structures that we design. When structures begin to deteriorate it reduces the original design capacity.
“We are civil engineers which means we deal with people. Our main purpose as engineers is safety of the public. We reduce the weight on a structure to maintain safety. We have reduced the load that is acceptable on the bridge until we have effected repairs to maintain and guarantee the public a measure of safety.
Government officials walk across the Ferry Bridge in Exuma. From left Maurice Bowe, Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s representative for Exuma; Ivan Ferguson, island administrator; the Hon. Phenton Neymour, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Environment and the Hon. Neko Grant, Minister of Public Works and Transport. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)
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The bridge is maintenance free but regular inspections are carried out to ensure that repairs are done if necessary, Mr. Bullard said.
“The biggest issue is the wait time on the one-lane bridge because drivers have to wait until one car crosses before the other vehicle can cross the bridge.
“Based on a traffic analysis of the bridge and the cost effectiveness, the bridge has an adequate design because the traffic is not heavy enough to justify the cost of creating a new lane at this time, Mr. Bullard added.
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