$34 Million Barracks River Bridge Opens
By: , October 23, 2020
Photo: Donald De La Haye
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Everald Warmington (centre), cuts the ribbon to officially open the new Barracks River bridge in St. Mary on Wednesday (October 21). Others (from left) are Senior Director at the National Works Agency (NWA), Varden Downer; State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce and Member of Parliament for South East St. Mary, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn; Resident, Jennifer Walsh; Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary; and other residents of the area.
Photo: Donald De La Haye
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Everald Warmington (third right); Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary (second right); and State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce and Member of Parliament for South East St. Mary, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn (right), applaud as a motorist crosses the Barracks River bridge in St. Mary, at the official opening of the new structure on Wednesday (October 21). Also sharing the moment is Senior Director at the National Works Agency (NWA), Varden Downer (left).The Full Story
The new Barracks River bridge in St. Mary, constructed at a cost of more than $34 million, was officially opened on Wednesday (October 21) by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Everald Warmington.
The new structure, which accommodates single-lane traffic, replaces a footbridge, which was destroyed during major flood rains. It will benefit hundreds of residents of surrounding communities.
Minister Warmington, in his remarks at the opening, noted the Government’s commitment to transforming the country’s road infrastructure in order to improve the lives of Jamaicans.
He said that many roads and bridges across the island have been constructed and improved over the last several years.
State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce and Member of Parliament for South East St. Mary, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, commended the residents for their patience and understanding during the construction phase.
For his part, Mayor of Port Maria, Richard Creary, who is also Councillor for the Richmond Division, said he is pleased that the residents can now move about with ease.
“We are extremely happy for this bridge and based on the construction, we will not need another bridge in my lifetime,” he noted.
Works were implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA) under the Government of Jamaica’s Recurrent Bridge Development Programme.
The new structure can accommodate small and medium-sized vehicles. The bridge installation works included construction of abutments and the paving of approach roads.