Why not guard rails? THE EDITOR, Sir: Once again Jamaica is saddened by the recent tragic loss of life at the Flat Bridge, Rio Cobre. Once again we will hear words of commiseration from those in authority, as we have over the years; and, once again, commiseration will not be backed up with action. Is it a lack of administrative initiative or political will or just plain inhumanity? Whilst we must give thanks for the traffic lights it seems to me that were a properly constructed railing built on both sides of the bridge, it would assist in containing the vehicles, or most of them, from plunging into the river. No one can convince me that it is impossible to erect guard rails despite a fast flowing river in the rainy season. We have pile drivers, don't we? And we build wharves and bridges, don't we? I am not an engineer but it seems to me that if the present structure cannot accommodate rails, then a structure running close on both sides could be considered and rails attached to that. I would be very surprised to hear that the problem is beyond the capabilities of resident engineers, but if this is so, what about bringing in engineers from abroad. We do this in road construction, so why not for life-saving? The exercise may not provide for a lot of jobs or be a political plum, but at least people will say, "they care". I am, etc., S. GEORGE KIRKALDY Kingston 8
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