Repairs to Two Sisters Bridge begin
HAYES, Clarendon – Reconstruction of the Two Sisters Bridge in Raymonds, South East Clarendon, is expected to be completed within another four months, the National Works Agency (NWA) has said.
The Dawkins Bridge, as it is also known, collapsed on June 7, 2011 during heavy rains – forcing motorists from the Vere Plains main road to an alternative route through a section of the Monymusk canefield.
The work, which began just over two weeks ago, is said to be progressing smoothly, and Howard Hendricks, community relations officer for NWA’s central region, said he is hopeful it will be completed within the specified time.
At a recent town hall meeting with residents from the Raymonds community, NWA’s senior corporate communications officer Colin Morrison disclosed that it will cost some $70 million to repair the bridge. The original steel structure is to be replaced by a reinforced concrete box culvert, he said.
It was also disclosed that work on a rotational basis had been set aside for residents from the community, with 10 persons already employed by the contractor, Dwight’s Construction, and another group waiting to start their shift in short order.
At the same meeting, Opposition Member of Parliament for South East Clarendon Rudyard Spencer and governing People’s National Party Councillor for the Hayes Division and Mayor of May Pen Scean Barnswell said they were pleased with the progress. Residents also expressed gratitude for the new bridge.
“I’m happy that we have been able to respond to the call of the people after being promised from June of last year that the bridge would have been up and ready within seven months,” said Barnswell.
Spencer, for his part, called on residents to lay aside political differences for the greater good of repairing the structure.
“You won’t have any division between me and Mayor Barnswell because the bridge (has) to come in on time and within budget, so let us all work together to get it done on time,” Spencer stressed.
Senior Superintendent Michael Bailey said the Clarendon Police Division would be on the alert to prevent disruption by criminals.
“We are not going to sit idle and allow anyone to cause trouble; the work must go on in peace,” the senior cop said.
