WITH reference to a recent picture and
caption in your publication, I take this opportunity to address this subject The National Works Agency is aware of the
deteriorated conditions of the Black River Bridge, St. Elizabeth, and has taken
steps to address the situation.
To this end, there has been a recommendation to
implement a Bailey Bridge detour, which will see the closure of the Black River
Bridge for a period of two years, until a new bridge is constructed.
Tenders were invited for the rehabilitation
of the Black River Bridge and the sole tender received was for approximately
$17 million. The National Works Agency has determined that at this time, the
quickest and most cost effective approach to the Black River bridge situation,
is the Bailey Bridge detour, which can be done at a cost of approximately $4.5
million, over $12 million less than the projected $17 million it would have
cost to rehabilitate the bridge.
