The National Works Agency (NWA) has extended the closure of the Johnson River Bridge in Seaforth, St. Thomas for large vehicles. The bridge was closed for three days on Tuesday May 20 for emergency repairs.
Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw says the bridge was ordered closed following an inspection which revealed that the structure was severely compromised.
Mr. Shaw says the bridge has been reopened for use by small vehicles, but will remain inaccessible to drivers of large trucks and articulated vehicles. He explains that this decision has been taken by the NWA, in order to prevent the bridge which is more than 70 years old from collapsing, due to heavy weight. He says the team that worked on the structure had it strengthened, but the bridge remains vulnerable to heavy weight.
Mr. Shaw says drivers of large vehicles wishing to travel to the communities such as Surge Island, Trinityville, Cedar Valley and New Monkland are being advised to continue using the alternative route from Belvedere to Hall Head. This arrangement is expected to be in place for the next six months.The NWA is now working to replace the old bridge at Seaforth, as part of the US$ 45 – million bridge programme. Mr. Shaw says the new structure is expected to be available for use by all motorists by October 2008.
