Joe Taylor Bridge in PG to be Replaced

In October, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing announced that it would be replacing the Joe Taylor Bridge in Punta Gorda Town. The ministry said that the infrastructure development project is set to deliver substantial advantages to the neighbouring communities and enhance public and road infrastructure. While its good news for the municipality, town residents aren’t fully happy because the ministry also announced that commuters will now need to use the Carib Reserve Road as an alternative route, which is more than three miles. With the high cost of fuel, residents say that a better alternative route could have been chosen. But, according to the Chief Engineer for the ministry, Evondale Moody, the Carib Reserve Road was the best alternative route.

Evondale Moody

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“As I have mentioned before, the Joe Taylor Bridge is a structure that has been there for quite some time. It is is project that we wanted to assist with as well and one that we want to get down in the fastest manner that we could. Based on the inspection and survey that we have done the only best alternative for the rerouting of the traffic is through to the Carib Reserve road. We have looked at another option but that would require us to built a new road and build a new bridge that it is even longer that the Joe Taylor Bridge just to facilitate a shorter route. Within that alignment we would have to go through an environment-sensitive area because there are a number of mangroves, all different types in that area. The terrain is swampy and we don’t believe that it is necessary to go through that expense when we have the Carib Reserve Road that we can use. Yes, the Ministry will ensure that that road is maintained and our idea is to see if we can pave that road sometime in the future as well.”