THE EDITOR, Sir:

The long-anticipated Yallahs bridge in St Thomas, now under construction, 'soars to new heights' as it takes shape spanning the Yallahs Ford. For decades, whenever it rains heavily, the ford becomes impassable to motorists and pedestrians. The alternate route to and from Kingston is through Islington, some seven miles around.

A Bailey bridge was erected across the ford to ease the pressure on motorists, avoiding the seven-mile detour. However, this bridge was destroyed by flood waters when Tropical Storm Emily visited Jamaica in 2005.

Makeshift thoroughfare

During the dry season motorists access the riverbed as a makeshift thoroughfare, despite the nuisance caused by dust.

Residents of St Thomas and motorists who ply this route on a daily basis, and even those who occasionally travel on that thoroughfare wait with bated breath and will surely breathe a sigh of relief when this long-overdue bridge is completed.

I am, etc.,

ROY CRUICKSHANK

St Thomas