Residents of Hamilton Mountain, St Mary, say the slope in the Eden River bridge has damaged their main water pipe. Now, they are forced to get water from the Eden River.

WHAT'S NOT WORKING?

The Eden River Bridge in St. Mary was so badly damaged by last year's rainy season, that there is now a pronounced slope in the structure which has caused a huge crack in the bridge's main supporting column. There is also a serious water problem in the communities adjoining this bridge.

Synopsis of the Situation

There is no doubt that the residents of St. Mary are highly desirous of having the Eden River Bridge fixed. From the taxi operators bellowing "do mi beg u tell dem fi sort it out!" as they drove by, to the pedestrians who curiously looked on as we inspected cracks on the bridge, the consensus was evident.

Oswald Frater, who has lived in Eden Park, St. Mary for over 30 years, said: "All I want see dem do is fix the bridge! All the years I live here I never see nuh work gwaan pon de bridge. I not even sure is who responsible for it because is just pure politics over who should fix it when you a try find out who owns it. Whoever responsible need fi come forward and start the work because see the bridge 'hill and gully' deh, is drop it go drop down next."

Noreen Wedderburn, a Hamilton Mountain resident, said she is concerned about both their water supply returning to regularity and the bridge being repaired. She said both are essential to the livelihood and survival of the residents.

WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?

The bridge falls within the purview of the National Works Agency (NWA), while the National Water Commission (NWC) is responsible for the water supply.

WHAT'S THE STATUS?

Stephen Shaw, communications and customer service manager at NWA, said the bridge is slated for repairs within the next six months. He said that the Eden River Bridge is one of 50 bridges to be changed under a bridge-replacement programme being carried out by the State agency. Mr. Shaw also said that the contract for the Eden River Bridge is in the process of going to tender.

Meanwhile, Charles Buchanan, corporate public relations manager at the NWC, said it would be impractical to effect repairs to a pipe in that position before the bridge is repaired.

On the matter of trucking the water, Mr. Buchanan admitted that the schedule is not what his company nor its customers want it to be. He added that St. Mary is more of a challenge right now because of the road work being carried out in the parish.

Mr. Buchanan also pledged that investigations would be carried out into the complaint made by the residents and the necessary steps taken.

Stephanie Fullerton-Cooper, community relations officer for the NWC's eastern division, pointed out that there were problems with the Hamilton Mountain Pump Station which was the root cause of the infrequent water supply and not the breakage of the main pipe underneath the bridge. She said the problems with the pump station had been addressed last Friday, the day after our news team visited the area. However, Alicia Adams, another resident of Hamilton Mountain said she is still not receiving any water from her pipes. She stated that this may be the case as she is situated on higher ground.

CONCLUSION

Unfortunately, the Wag Water Bridge gave up hope and collapsed recently. I pray that the Eden River Bridge does not suffer a similar fate. I hope that the authorities will learn a valuable lesson from the tragic incident that could have caused the death of many people. It seems a melancholy truth that the authorities responsible for maintaining such structures and thoroughfares have not grasped the concept of danger.

I encourage the powers that be to not wait until another bridge collapses because it just might be bloodier than the infamous Wag Water incident.

It is early days yet, but one thumb up to the NWA for its bridge-replacement initiative. When the venture is successfully completed, then and only then will the executive agency get two thumbs up.

- Done by Marlon Vickerman, Gleaner Writer

We want to hear from you!

Tell us about problems in your community. We will visit and help to lobby for action. Write to: Tyrone Reid, the Gleaner Company Limited, 7 North Street, Kingston;

Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or

Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com