Harbour Bridge closure: To avoid congestion, gov’t offers suggestion on speed boat use

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed from midnight Monday to midnight Thursday to replace a span which was damaged last year.

The authorities have said all systems are in place to meet the timeline, while alternative measures, including new speedboat crossings, to help commuters get across the Demerara River have been put in place.

In a press release issued on Monday, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) urge individuals residing south of the Demerara Harbour Bridge on the West Bank of the Demerara River up to Canal No.2 to utilise the additional crossing in place at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

“Commuters residing beyond Canal #2 are encouraged to use the additional water taxi service opposite the Wales Police Station,” it said.

According to MARAD, the additional services are in place to ease a potential congestion of traffic at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling.

“The Wales water taxi service will offload at Market Street, Grove on the East Bank and the West Bank water taxi service from the Harbour Bridge will offload on the East Bank of the Harbour Bridge,” MARAD explained.

These areas, MARAD said are lit, secured and monitored by the Guyana Police Force.

MARAD monitors and inspectors will also be placed at these locations.

Other measures include shuttle system to transport passengers to and from the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling to the junction and to the main road upon disembarking the crossing at the Demerara Harbour Bridge. There will be enhanced lighting and security.

The closure of the Demerara Harbour Bridge is the facilitate the replacement of the span 9 which was damaged in September last year when the Panamanian flagged vessel, MV Tradewinds Passion, crashed into the bridge during a retraction period and rendered the bridge inoperable for several days.

The closure is scheduled to start from 11:59 pm July 24 to 11:59 pm on July 27.