State-of-the-art structure to replace Mahaica River Bridge
By Jaime Hall
Guyana Chronicle
February 19, 2004
AFTER MORE than a century lying across the Mahaica River, one of the first railway bridges that were built on the South American continent was yesterday shifted from its original position to allow a more state-of-the art structure to take its place.
The new bridge, which is already being constructed, would be a thoroughfare for road traffic rather than rail. It is part of the government's bridges project along the East Coast Demerara highway that is being carried out by DYWIDAG International engineering firm.
Railway traffic along the Georgetown/Mahaica route was abandoned in 1974 as more road networks began opening across Guyana.
Initially, the Ministry of Public works had intended to dismantle the entire structure of the railway bridge, but there were public concerns about this decision.
In fact, the National Heritage Society did not believe it was the right thing to do because of the historical significance of the bridge to Guyana.
The old railway bridge is approximately 200 feet long and has been pulled about 10 meters way from where the new structure will be places, parallel to it.
DYWIDAG yesterday, was using a simple roller track method with hydraulics to shift the old railway structure into place.
This process, engineers said took about three hours and the part of the device being used was built by the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC).
Minister of Public Works, Mr. Anthony Xavier commenting on the operations yesterday said; "it was a wonderful thing that we have been able to preserve this bridge as a historical site".
The Mahaicony railway bridge structure, which is similar has also been removed and will be put up for preservation as a heritage piece.
Mr. Xavier said he is satisfied with progress on the bridges projects, despite a few initial problems. However, those were overcome and he is confident that many of the projects the ministry has on hand will be completed on time.
A decision was taken to put the Mahaica Bridge in the centre line of the railway bridge because of the main highway that leads to it in order to make use of the approach which is built on the old railway embankment.
A new approach is being built on the other side, which is about one mile long and will connect back to the East Coast highway.