Harbour bridge to close for 24 hours from midnight Saturday

The Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is to close for 24 hours from midnight on Saturday for emergency repairs and water taxis will operate uninterrupted during this period.

In a statement today, the DHB Corporation (DHBC) said that emergency repair works have to be done to Span 8 of the bridge.

It said that the closure will take place from Saturday, February 25th 2023, 11:59PM to Sunday, February 26th 2023, 11:59PM, midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday.

It added that the works have become critical after the Panama-registered oil tanker, MV Tradewind Passion crashed into the bridge in October last year, and rendered it inoperable for several days.

“Citizens are assured that this inconvenience is absolutely necessary at this time to ensure the structural integrity of the bridge, for the safety of everyone crossing”, the statement said.

In light of the closure of the DHB for the 24 hours, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) said in a statement that Demerara Water Taxis  will remain operational for a period of 24 hours from 11:59 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2023, – 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2023, to facilitate the transport of commuters.

Commuters are assured of an uninterrupted water taxi service from Vreed-en-Hoop to Stabroek during this period, MARAD said.

MARAD added  that the fare for this service remains at $100.