TROY, Trelawny — The long-awaited work to replace the collapsed Troy bridge connecting north-west Manchester and southern Trelawny is expected to commence next week.

The announcement was made in a statement by the National Works Agency on Thursday. Since the Troy bridge collapsed in August 2021, schoolchildren and other residents have been using makeshift methods, including a fallen tree and a zipline comprising a rope and bucket to cross the river. The risky makeshift footbridge connects residents in the neighbouring communities of Cowick Park in north-western Manchester to Troy in southern Trelawny.

Since the bridge collapsed, residents have had to use a 15-mile alternative commute for safety.“Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Robert Morgan says that Cabinet, having signed off on the $231-million contract, the work is to begin. He says that the National Works Agency (NWA), recently received the contractor’s bond and insurance and this has paved the way for the commencement of the works,” the statement from the NWA read in part.

The project is expected to last for 12 months and will see the demolition of the old structure, the erection of a new triple cell box culvert on piles, as well as river training activities.

A temporary detour is also to be constructed in order to facilitate the many pedestrians who now seek to cross Hector’s River. These pedestrians include students from the nearby Troy High School.