Craig Mill Bridge declared a disaster area

CRAIG MILL, P ortland :

On a day when Minister with responsibility for Local Government matters, Desmond McKenzie, declared the abandoned Craig Mill Bridge structure in West Portland a disaster area, residents are anticipating the construction of a temporary pedestrian bridge.

The Craig Mill Bridge, which suffered partial collapse in December last year under the weight of a truck laden with boulders, was ordered closed in 2012 by the National Works Agency (NWA), accompanied by the posting of necessary warning signs.

However, residents soon removed the blockade, citing that heavy rains cause the nearby river to overflow, rendering the fording impassable to both vehicular traffic and pedestrians, effectively leaving them marooned.

On Wednesday, McKenzie, accompanied by Minister with responsibility for Works Robert Morgan and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz – who is also the Member of Parliament for West Portland – committed to constructing a temporary pedestrian bridge to ensure access for residents during periods of heavy rainfall.

“As of tomorrow, this will be designated as a disaster area under the Disaster Risk Act. I will write to the prime minister to advise him and officially declare this as a disaster area,” McKenzie stated.

He continued, “The challenge we face is that access to the communities is threatened daily. If we wait on the system to function as it typically does, we could be here for the next two years trying to resolve the situation. The Office of Disaster Preparedness plays a role in monitoring vulnerable communities, and as you can see, when the river is in spate, it creates problems for residents in this area.”

McKenzie emphasised that the Ministry of Local Government would work closely with MP Vaz and the NWA to ensure a swift resolution and implement necessary action plans.

Meanwhile, Morgan highlighted the need for engagement with NWA head E.G. Hunter to explore the quickest means of providing a temporary pedestrian bridge. Additionally, he discussed examining emergency provisions under Ministry of Works legislation to facilitate both temporary and permanent solutions.

Vaz, who has long grappled with the Craig Mill Bridge situation, expressed appreciation for the visit and commitment of his government colleagues. He sees their involvement as a sign of progress for residents.

“What I want to see right now is what can be done to get a temporary bridge for pedestrians and a permanent bridge for the area. This is the only entrance and exit for the communities of Craig Mill, White Hall, and Belvedere,” Vaz stated.

“As Member of Parliament, I strongly support this decision. The ongoing risks to life and property have been a major concern. Thankfully, when the truck laden with stones recently collapsed the bridge, there were no fatalities – but it could easily have been otherwise. After consultations with ministers and agency heads, I will provide a clearer timeline for the project,” he added.

‘WISE DECISION’

Wednesday’s visit by the three government ministers provided some hope to residents, including Delroy Fisher, Marcia Hill, Tamar Brown, and Calvin Heslop, who all agreed that meaningful action now seems imminent.

“I now feel that something is going to happen and that help is finally coming our way, even if we have to wait a little longer,” said Hill, speaking on behalf of her fellow residents.

“It has been a very frustrating period for us, and I understand that a bridge does not just fall from the sky – it is a process. Whenever it rains heavily, no one can cross the fording. I believe it is a wise decision to build a temporary bridge so we can safely move in and out of our community,” she added.

gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com