Temporary Bridge for Kendal arrives

The much anticipated temporary bridge donated by the U.S. government has arrived in the country, according to a release by the U.S. Embassy. The replacement bridge was promised in June of this year, after the Kendal Bridge was washed away by Tropical Storm Arthur. According to the Ministry of Works, the million dollar bridge is being transported to Kendal for installation to provide necessary relief to commuters in southern Belize.News Five spoke with C.E.O of the ministry, Cadet Henderson, who says the bridge is re-usable and can be moved to different locations.

Cadet Henderson, C.E.O., Ministry of Works
“It is expected to be transported by road to the Kendall site today.”

Duane Moody
“How long will this bridge actually take to be installed—to be place up?”

Cadet Henderson
“The bridge itself is just a couple weeks but it will take at least a couple months for the entire project. The bridge is a five span bridge requiring structural support and some significant works for the approach but we will get started with it very shortly. The Bridge will provide a high level crossing which is above flood level. The bridge also is Belize’s first modular reusable emergency bridge. Most countries have such bridges in stock and we have never had any. This is a U.S. donated asset that we will also have B.D.F. participation so that they can work with us in future assembly or launching of the bridge. The bridge, being modular, is three hundred and fifty feet span. It’s in ten feet modules so we can make a ten foot, fifty foot or hundred foot span out of it. For future emergency use or if we need to do a detour, a diversion we can always reassemble this bridge in a configuration of our choice.”

Duane Moody
“Okay, so you’re saying that this bridge can be taken down and put up back respectively?”

Cadet Henderson
“Yea, certainly. It’s a reusable structure that can be assembled in different configurations; different span and different loading capacity.”

Duane Moody
“So you’re saying if a different are would need that bridge you would move it there?”

Cadet Henderson
“Yeah.”

According to Henderson, if weather conditions improve, the bridge will be in place within the next two months.