Temporary footbridge constructed at Dumbarton breakaway
WEEKS after floodwaters destroyed a bridge which formed part of the Dumbarton main road in Discovery Bay, St Ann, a temporary bridge has been constructed to ease the travel pains of residents in and around the area.
Authorities are yet to give a timeline for the repair of the main road, which connects Discovery Bay to Brown’s Town.
The temporary bridge was constructed with funds allocated by councillor for the Dry Habour Division Carlton Ricketts, after the Jamaica Observer North East reported that nothing had been temporarily put in place by authorities to prevent any casualty, despite a school being lcoated nearby.
However, Ricketts said despite the construction of the bridge, he is concerned about the challenges students are expected to face ahead of a new school term which starts today as the breakaway has prevented vehicular traffic. Equally, the councillor has expressed concern about the increase in transportation costs since the road was damaged.
“That is going to be the concern of every parent. Children may have to get up earlier. It will cost more,” Ricketts said.
Residents have been subjected to what they call a ‘connecting flight’.
This ‘connecting flight’ has residents disembarking the taxi, which runs from Discovery Bay on one side of the road, crossing the bridge, then boarding another taxi on the other side of the road to complete the journey.
Some residents have even opted to park their vehicles on one side of the road and finish their journey via taxi, leaving vendors to secure them.
“The people are anxious and they are waiting with anxiety,” the councillor continued.
He disclosed that he was told the technical department of the National Works Agency (NWA) is now assessing the situation by an agency representative.
He is, however, urging the NWA to act quickly as the situation needs urgent attention.