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New Bailey Bridge Opens at Appleton Estate

April 25, 2007

The Full Story

A new bailey bridge has been opened at Appleton Estate in St. Elizabeth, to replace the structure that collapsed last year.
The new bridge, which was constructed by the National Works Agency (NWA), serves as a critical link between Appleton Estate and the communities of Thornton and Siloah. The original structure was officially closed three years ago, but eventually collapsed last August.
Minister of Housing, Transport, Water and Works, Robert Pickersgill, in his remarks at the opening, said that the establishment of the bridge is part of a process by the Government to rehabilitate some 60 bridges island wide. “We do have a total of nearly 600 that we will ultimately have to deal with,” he informed.
He noted that while the technical work was undertaken by the NWA, Appleton Estate and the local Parish Council provided the material.
“I have to therefore pay tribute to all the entities that have co-operated so that so many residents can now be able to traverse this area comfortably once again. Indeed, this is the type of approach I would like to recommend to be used on a wider scale on some projects of similar nature,” he said.
Minister of Agriculture and Lands and Member of Parliament for North East St. Elizabeth, Roger Clarke also thanked the various agencies that collaborated with government to execute the project.
“I have to say a big thank you to Appleton Estate for their contribution of $4 million, Sugar Industry Authority for their $7 million as well as the Ministry of Transport through the National Works Agency, which physically transported the bridge all the way from Hanover to this site,” he said.
Minister Clarke urged all users of the new bridge to adhere to the load guidelines as it related to heavy units.
“Make no mistake, if anything should happen to the new structure it will be our fault so please take care of it for the benefit of the wider community,” he said.

Last Updated: April 25, 2007

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