The Ministry of Works and Family Islands Affairs announced the closure of the Fresh Creek Bridge on Monday.
Officials from the ministry, led by Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, the Hon. Clay Sweeting accompanied by Member of Parliament for Central, Mangrove Cay and South Andros, the Hon. Leon Lundy, traveled to Andros to assess the bridge.
Senior Engineer Antonne Taylor explained, “the intermediate pier at one of the pile caps has sunk. As a result all of the weight has shifted to the two external piers because of this, the pile caps have deflected some twenty three degrees. As a result, the three intermediate slabs has sunken collectively nine inches roughly two to three inches per slab.”
Officials intend to erect a temporary bridge at the site. Director of Public Works Robert Mouzas said, “the new bridge will be two lane and raised considerably to get about sixteen to twenty feet height. So that’s why we have to demolish this bridge and put a temporary bridge in anyway.”
According to Minister Sweeting immediate relief for residents who frequently use the bridge includes ferrying cars from one side to the next. He said, “we have already started discussions with Acrow Bridge who already has a reputation in The Bahamas where they have provided bridges in Abaco as well as Eleuthera.”
Member of Parliament Leon Lundy said the bridge is an economic connection to the north and southern parts of Central Andros. He said, “the airport is on the south and most of the residents live to the north. So definitely we need this connection in order to survive and thrive.”
Officials are planning to construct a new bridge sometime in the future.
