Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge nearing completion

The highly anticipated Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge in Linden is nearing completion, with engineers working to resolve the final technical issues before the structure can be opened to the public.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill on Friday met with the project’s contractor, consultants and engineers to review the progress of the US$35 million bridge.

The minister also conducted a site inspection to assess the ongoing works.

Minister Edghill said the bridge itself is almost complete, but attention is now centred on ensuring the approach embankments remain stable over the long term.

“The bridge is almost complete. The issues that we are having are the approaches to the bridge, the movement of the soil, and how we will have a stable embankment that would not see movement after a couple of years of usage,” he explained.

He noted that while residents are eager for the bridge to open, engineering standards must not be compromised.

“The daily fatigue of parents, children, businesses and workers has come to an end and while in engineering there is a need for caution and care to ensure that the end product that is provided is one that is resilient and safe,” the minister said.

“We don’t want the bridge completed and then people can’t reach it because of the difference between the road and the bridge being too steep.”

The public works minister acknowledged that every day the bridge remains closed delays much-needed relief for commuters and businesses in Region Ten.

“Every day that the bridge is not open is a day that we have not served the people of Region Ten and all those who are passing through Region Ten,” he emphasised.

He explained that engineers are carrying out additional geotechnical assessments after observing settlement in the bridge approaches.

Solutions are being finalised and an update on the bridge’s completion timeline will be provided soon.

Once completed, the new Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the communities of Wismar and Mackenzie, easing daily travel, enhancing the movement of goods and services, and supporting economic development across Region Ten. [DPI]