Six weeks for Wharf Road

BY CAROL ANN TUDOR

The reopening of the Wharf Road in Bridgetown could take between two and six weeks, depending on findings from consultants investigating the damage to the road.

At a press conference earlier today in the City to address the closure of one of Bridgetown’s major arteries, Acting Chief Technical Officer in the Ministry of Transport and Works Nash Lovell said consultants had been called in after preliminary findings based on two dives by the Coast Guard were “unexplainable”.

The findings indicate that the two storm water drains in the vicinity laterally across the road, show remarkable deterioration of the slabs and would represent an immediate danger, as well as several exposed reinforcements seen on the “invert of the two culverts”.

Lovell said further investigations needed to be carried out, but revealed that a comprehensive analysis of the findings and a recommendation for remedial actions, would be submitted by the team of experts by Friday.

Consultant Guy Griffith said from “an engineering viewpoint” it could be four to six weeks before the road is opened again.

As a result of the closure of the road, the Ministry has put traffic amendments in place that seek to ease the congestion caused by the closure of the Wharf Road.

Inspector Leon Blades of the Royal Barbados Police Force said motorists had reported extremely long waits coming into the City and other areas nearby.

printshare0