Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson has announced that the construction of a modern bridge at Moruca is expected to begin shortly.
The new bridge will be made of concrete, timber and steel. It will comprise a concrete deck supported by steel beams and a timber sub-structure. The bridge will be constructed high enough to allow for boats to pass under it, the Department of Public Information has reported.
Minister Patterson explained that the contractor has mobilised his equipment and the geotechnical investigations have been completed.
“We will not be replicating the mistakes of the past. We made a commitment to you and I’m pleased to say, will fulfil it,” Minister Patterson told Morucans at a recent forum.
An almost $120Million double lane bridge will be constructed by Mohammed Ramzan Ali Khan Construction Company. The works will be done in phases.
The current old, dilapidated bridge was built in an ad hoc manner. It was constructed in the 1980s, to facilitate pedestrian traffic only. It was subsequently upgraded at a cost of $43Million to cater for vehicular traffic. An additional $15Million was spent on revetment works to the eastern end of the bridge in 2014.
The new bridge will also be longer than the current one and should not be affected by rising waters which currently hampers the approach to the existing bridge, DPI said.
