In December 2001, I wrote a memo to the Parliamentary Representative for St. John – Claris Charles, informing her of the urgent need to re-open Caborie Road as an alternative route in case there is a problem with the existing Concord Bridge.
There is a plaque on the bridge indicating the year of construction – 1864. When this bridge was constructed over a century ago, it was not meant to carry this present day volume of heavy traffic and the excessive weight of some of those construction machinery that use the bridge – for example excavation, concrete mixers, patrol tankers, etc.
When an excavator has to navigate the bridge (depending on the size of the excavator) the operators have to first remove the excavator from the trailer, then the excavator has to clear the bridge, then position itself back on the trailer. In the meantime, vehicles are backing up in both directions. Sometimes, this exercise can take about half an hour in delayed time.
Also, because of the width of the bridge, these excavators gouge a few inches of concrete from the bridge as a result, a section has broken out exposing the steel.
This is why there is an urgent need for the following (1) a new and wide bridge alongside the existing one and (2) the reopening of the Cobarie Road, so that a second major disaster (the first being the stone that fell on the bus (Greenleaf) in January 1991) can be averted in the area.
It must be noted that Cobarie Road is a few yards on the right from the Concord bridge going in the direction of Marigot.
I am calling on the powers-that-be to address this problem urgently before a portion of this bridge and a heavy vehicle ends up at the bottom of the river.
I also wrote to the present Parliamentary Representative for St. John, Mr. Alvin DaBreo, concerning the same Concord bridge – the letter was dated (29.8.2016) and to date I have not had a response to my letter.
My second cause for Concern is the section of road between Woodford bridge and the hot mix plant in Perseverance – the broken section of road overlooking Halifax Harbour.
This section has a Wooden barrier and three Oil drums placed there as a deterrent.
This structure has been there for over three years. During this time the road is subjected to heavy vehicular traffic on a daily basis, and it’s only a matter of time before this section of road slip into Halifax Harbour.
The latest example of slippage is the section in Moliniere. As from Monday, 16th December 2019, a section of the road was closed to vehicular traffic causing numerous problems in the process.
When one looks at the section of the road overlooking Halifax Harbour, heaven forbid if this section slips into the Harbour? Is there an alternative route for vehicular traffic?
I call on the Ministry of Works to undertake as a matter of urgency – a proper assessment of that particular section of road before another disaster occur.
Clem John