Key bridge collapses in South Rupununi

3rd June, 2018

BRIDGE COLLAPSE AT YAMATWAO | Following reports of the collapse of the Yamatwao Bridge in South Rupununi, Region 9, a team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is being dispatched to assess the severity of the damage and cost to rehabilitate.

The Ministry has been made to understand that the collapse occurred as a flatbed truck carrying an excavator attempted to cross the bridge. The overweight vehicle overextended the bridge’s capabilities, thereby causing the collapse.

This incident compounds the Ministry’s call to road users within the hinterland to strictly adhere to weight limits, especially during the wet season, since non-adherence can lead to structural failures, as demonstrated now. This incident is not the first of its kind and road users are reminded that they will be held accountable in instances of non-compliance to weight limits.

Bridge collapses also affect communities, since they make traffic impassable and cut entire villages off from the rest of the country and road users are urged to remain cognisant of their responsibilities to properly use the roadways.