The government of Dominica has broken ground for the construction of the Yorke Valley Bridge to be funded by the People’s Republic of China to the tune of $11-million.
At the ceremony on Thursday, Minister of Public Works Senator Miriam Blanchard said the modern designs of the bridge is in keeping with the mandate of the government of “building back better.”
She said the newly reinforced concrete bridge will comprise of three 18 meter spans or a total of 54 meters with a width of a total of 8.5 meters including one-meter wide sidewalks on either side of the bridge. Traffic will be comfortably accommodated on the 6.5 meter carriage way, she said and the design makes provisions for the construction of road markings and signage.
Parliamentary Representative for St. Joseph Hon. Kelver Darroux gave the assurance that during the process of construction, locals will be engaged.
“We have put a plan in place to engage the locals, the skills men, the laborers, to be part of the project. We have to ensure that we play our role as well in making this project our own and taking care of it,” he stated.
The Yorke Vally Bridge was destroyed during the collapse of the Mattieu Dam in 2011 and will be constructed by the China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co. Ltd.
Why are there all these ‘groundbreaking’ events? It is like having a christening before the baby is born, thus a waste of resources and really just about having a show. I am sure the people of Dominica would rather all the ceremony to be held for the successful completion of a project rather than the no shows and uncompleted efforts of this administration.
I’m still waiting for the fabled international airport to be started, yet alone completed, so I can get to one of these groundbreaking events, lol.
If you’re not constructing a suspension bridge, you will be building yet another bridge during either heavy rains or another hurricane. Our topography coupled with constant weather related incidents, provides us with the best example of what types of bridges should be constructed on the island. Take a look at the old Bath Estate Suspension bridge that survived hurricane David and several others. It always amazes me that we ignore our unique environment and sturdy examples in the decision making process.
I totally agree. Mid-stream piers are asking for trouble and all the more so when they lack cut-waters.
I sure hope that this will be a 2-lane bridge. With the large number of vehicles in Dominica, motorists should no longer be waiting to cross a bridge because it can only accommodate one vehicle at a time.
The bridge will be 27′ wide. How wide is the average car? Now you do the math.
If UWP was building that bridge you would be singing their praises saying how much they were doing for the country.
Why did the government not leave the bridge up and the Chinese build the bridge beside it? Now the people living in the Layou valley only have one way to get out and that is by passing through a landslide that has not been addressed since Erika. The road from Pond Casse to Hillsborough is in the most terrible condition in places it is only just passable. How is it possible to build a new bridge when the road is in such a state of disrepair it soon won’t be passable, plus the abattoir is on the same road. This is total madness. The Chinese do not build good bridges as we know from the bridges that have gone down in Erika. Kelver Darroux, has done nothing for his constituents living in the region where the bridge and road are. Not one hole filled nothing at all addressed, what a complete waste of space he is. Miriam Blanchard obviously has no experience in the job she is doing and should be replaced. Dominica roads are a disgrace. Shame on all of you what a fiasco
Skerrit u too incompetent so long Erika pass u cannot fix bridges, if it was Eugenia Charles in charge all bridges would be built quickly with America & Canada help. Taxpayers paying u, where is your conscience?
Skerrit u too incompetent so long Erika pass u cannot fix bridges, if it was Eugenia Charles in charge all bridges would be built quickly with America & Canada help.
What is the status of the Elmshall Bridge? Enquiring minds want to know!
Is Yorke River wide like the Mediterranean? or is the $11M in Yeng
When will the Bailey Bridge across the Trafalgar River be completed?
Bearing in mind was a route frequented by bus drivers when taking tourists on tour. Also to get to Screws etc
The money for this repair was approved long ago.£20,million pounds from thr British Taxpayers,Were has the cash gone?
Rome was not built in a day.