Dominica: Vehicular Access starts at Calixte Bridge, Castle Bruce

Castle Bruce, Dominica: The Technical Services Division of the Ministry of Public Works announced the commencement of vehicular access at the Calixte Bridge on Sunday, October 2. The repair work was commenced on Saturday at the approach to the Calixte Bridge, which was damaged due to heavy torrential rainfall in the region.

The site was surveyed by the Minister for Public Works and the Digital Economy, Cassanni Laville; Consultant Engineer Kendell Johnson and local contractors.

According to the update shared by the ministry, the construction crew has started on the ground backfilling the approach so that further rehabilitation works can be done to restart the vehicular access.

“The approach to the Calixte Bridge in Castle Bruce has washed away after torrential rainfall over the past three days. The Minister for Public Works and the Digital Economy, Honourable Cassanni Laville, Consultant Engineer Kendell Johnson and Contractor met on-site at Castle Bruce to oversee preparations to repair the Calixte Bridge,” the ministry stated while informing about restoration work at the site, adding, “Currently a crew is on ground backfilling the approach so that further rehabilitation works can be done to restore full vehicular access.”

The Commonwealth of Dominica has been witnessing rough weather in the midst of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. The country has witnessed rough weather because of the landfall of two hurricanes – Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian, which devastated Puerto Rico and Florida respectively and claimed hundreds of lives.

Until 6 pm on October 6, 2022, a trough system increased the chance of showers and thunderstorm activity across the country during the next 24 hours to 36 hours, mainly from Monday afternoon to Tuesday. Meanwhile, a tropical wave in the Central Tropical Atlantic, which is being monitored for development, presently has a low chance of development. This wave is expected to begin affecting parts of the Lesser Antilles on Wednesday.

Slight to moderate seas are anticipated during the next 24 to 48 hours, with waves peaking at 5.0ft along the eastern coast throughout Monday. A gradual deterioration in conditions is projected from Tuesday, with wave heights up to 8.0ft on Wednesday.