PRELIMINARY work has started on the construction of a new bridge in the community of Kintyre, Eastern St Andrew.

It will replace the structure that was destroyed during the passage of Hurricane Sandy on October 24.

State Minister for Transport, Works and Housing, Richard Azan, toured the area on Thursday, where work is underway on a detour road in the vicinity of the old bridge, which will maintain access for motorists and pedestrians during the construction phase.

“We are going to remove this (destroyed) structure we have here now, so we have to put in a detour road…before we can start the actual (bridge) work here,” Azan said.

The Kintyre bridge is the central route used by residents of Hope Flats, Cosmo Mews, Clarke Street, St Joseph’s Road, Bedward Pastures and surrounding areas to get in and out of their areas.

A budget of $100 million has been set aside to carry out the work. Of the total, $65 million will be used for the installation of the new bridge, and the remaining $35 million will be spent for river training and associated roadway works.