Guyana announces temporary closure of Yaya Bridge for maintenance work

The Ministry of Public Works, Guyana, announced that it will temporarily close the Yaya Bridge, at Kilometer 115+250 to traffic, for the execution of critical maintenance works.

The bridge will be closed to traffic on August 22nd and 23rd, 2024, from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on both days. The repairs became necessary after structural concerns arose in the bridge, which forms the very vital chain of transportation in this area.

The Ministry has published a detailed schedule of the closures in an effort to minimize disruption. Traffic will not be able to travel on the bridge at several extended times during each day, although there will be short periods of time when it will again be opened to allow vehicles across. Specifically, the schedule shows:

• The bridge is to be closed from 7:00 AM to 9:45 AM.
• Again, the bridge is to open briefly from 9:45 AM to 10:15 AM.
• The bridge will then again close between 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM.
• There will be another short reopening between 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM.
• A third closure is scheduled between 1:30 PM and 4:15 PM.
• The bridge will again be reopened between the hours of 4:15 PM and 4:45 PM.
• The bridge will be closed to traffic for the final time between the hours of 4:45 PM and 6:00 PM.
• At 6:00 PM and onward, it will again be open into the next day.
• This carefully planned schedule balances the need to perform critical maintenance with the need to maintain some level of accessibility during peak hours.

The Ministry recognizes that closures may be an inconvenience; however, the work is regarded as necessary for the long-term safety and reliability of the bridge.

In this regard, the Yaya Bridge is an important link to communities on either side, and it, therefore, receives priority from the Ministry in terms of its maintenance. The Ministry does this maintenance with the idea of averting more serious problems that may cause it to be closed for a longer period in the future or create safety risks.

This temporary closure of the bridge is, therefore, a proactive measure aimed at elongating its life span and ensuring that the structure is maintained.

The Ministry of Public Works appeals for the patience and cooperation of all motorists and road users during the period under review. Travelers are requested to plan accordingly with respect to the closure schedule to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Moreover, the Ministry urges all road users to exercise caution when approaching the bridge in those short windows when it will be opened for traffic and follow all safety signs and directions that shall be posted.

The Ministry has also provided contact details for persons who may want additional information or who have complaints or queries. The contact details for the Construction Supervision Consultant: Mott McDonald / SRKN’gineering, Contact: 592 660 3060 or Email: lindenmabura@gmail.com