The President of Gros Islet Minibus Association has disclosed that the association has no major concern regarding the Choc Bridge, where the Ministry of Infrastructure has detected some movement.
“For now I don’t think my members have any concern,” Danny Edward told St. Lucia Times.
Edward noted that the Choc Bridge is a significant link to the North of Saint Lucia.
As such, he said he was confident that the authorities would address any issues with the structure.
“So for me and the members, I do not think there is any major concern at this point,” the Association President stated.
He did not think the bridge issue would negatively impact Gros Islet minibus drivers who cross the structure daily.
On Tuesday, Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King disclosed remedial work would be done to address the movement detected at the Choc Bridge while asserting that there was no ‘extreme danger’.
The former Prime Minister revealed that the Ministry had completed the necessary investigation and assessment and was preparing to implement ‘intermediary’ measures.
King explained that implementing the measures would be in preparation for reconstructing the Julian R. Hunte Highway.
Engineer King speaks….just like Engineer Joseph used to do! Since bus drivers are airing their no concern , maybe I should air mine as well like the multiple sinkholes infront of la place carenage.
This bridge was built back somewhere in 1971 or 1972 I remembered that well around same time the corinth secondary school.was built and anyone who have an idea of road construction would know that’s its of very poor quality I can’t see this structure still standing after 52 later and shame on that Canadian company that put up that bridge this kind of structure is only suitable for haul/ access road that can be use for a couple years so shame on the canadian contractor to present this a bridge to the ministry of communication. And shame on the MC&W for acceepting as a permanent structure on their roadway
We must remember how far we have come within the last fifty years. We as a country in seventies was very poor. Very few areas on the island pipe water or roads. The journey from Vieuxfort to Castries and back was a major under taking requiring lots of planning by families to maximise the benefits of the trip. Like wise getting from Gro Islet and other northern areas.
The then country with little resources embark on improvements hence the various culvert bridges was used. It was never meant to be permanent structures and for the volume of traffic that uses it today.
It is failure of planning and execution by various ministers not renew or replace ad long as it is still functioning that continues to bring us to these brink of total collapse.
Another is the so call international airport in vieux Fort that has now outlived it life span twice over and today we are still fighting over a new airport wasting money on consultants and keep pushing the can down the road instead of being decisive. That is we culture yellow and red.