DOZENS of Jamaicans marooned on the eastern end of the island since Tropical Storm Gustav destroyed the Harbour View bridge last Friday, lost their cool yesterday morning when it became clear that a Bailey bridge, built in just a day by Jamaica Defence Force soldiers and National Works Agency (NWA) engineers, was not ready to be used, despite a promise by the transport and works minister, Mike Henry.
By afternoon, however, pedestrians were allowed to use the bridge to get across the Hope River, while it is expected to be opened to some vehicles today. Use will be restricted to single-lane traffic and lights are to be installed to manage traffic flow.
The transport ministry said yesterday that the NWA would be doing some protective work in respect of the five columns now supporting the structure, and would also be monitoring the overall facility for at least two weeks to determine if any modification(s) may be necessary.
Some of the anxious persons who wanted to get across said they were out of food, while others said their money and fuel were finished and were hopping mad that they could not get into the capital, Kingston, since the Harbour View bridge collapsed during heavy rains from the storm.
Shortly after 6:00 yesterday morning, the time the minister promised that the bridge would be opened, hundreds of people — many dressed for work and school — stood anxiously awaiting the opening.
"You know how far me drive from come here because me hear in the media that the bridge would be open," said one irate man.
"You media people a help Mike Henry spread him propaganda," another man said menacingly.
"Me no prepare fi walk through no dirty water this morning fi ketch up tings inna me foot," said another.
"Every minute them say the bridge a go open up and all now nothing can’t happen," said one woman, as she let loose a string of expletives.
Yet another complained that she had to get to work in Kingston as she had run out of money and food.
Another man suggested that the Government should have placed planks in the river to allow for temporary crossing so persons would not have to resort to wading through the dirty water.
After waiting for nearly three hours, the crowd was told by an NWA official that they couldcross on the unfinished bridge, but this had to be aborted a few minutes later when the crossing became disorderly and dangerous. Men, women and small children climbed onto the partially completed bridge, squeezing their way through the rails to jump several feet down.
"Lord Jesus... thank you Lord me reach over," said one woman as she jumped down.
"Me just want reach cross," said another woman, as she jumped and ripped a part of her clothing.
The police immediately put a stop to this when it became apparent that persons could get hurt.
Courtney Coubrie, acting deputy superintendent of police in charge of traffic, said his officers would be monitoring the situation to ensure persons’ safety.
Henry later told the Observer via telephone that the bridge was not ready for yesterday morning because there are a number of technical things which had to be done to ensure that it was safe.
By mid-afternoon when the bridge was opened to pedestrians, a sea of people rushed on, glad for an opportunity to get to the other side. Persons coming from the airport put their suitcases on their heads, while several carried bread, jugs of gasoline and groceries across the bridge where they boarded buses and taxis on the other side.
