The Hawkesworth Bridge in Cayo is going to be closed for 6 months. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development & Housing made the announcement this morning that the bridge will close on Thursday 2nd May 2024 and reopen 2nd November 2024.
That's a 6 month closure - the longest we can recall for the 75 year old bridge. We asked the Chief Engineer about it via Zoom:
Evondale Moody, MIDH Chief Engineer
"We have some critical works that we need to undertake on the Hawkesworth Bridge. And so those works we expect will take us about six months for us to complete. And because we would need to have workmen and workers on the structure during the day when we're doing these works, it is best that we close the structure for this period."
"From what we've reviewed from the inspections that have been carried out, we have to do some repairs to the suspension cables. Those are the two cables that carry the structure. We also have to do some repairs to the primary and secondary girders on that bridge."
"We also have to do some repairs to the deck section, which is the mesh section that you drive on. I think you could recall that if you drive across it, you would hear some rattling. That's because we have to tighten up some bolts that are there on the deck section."
"We also have critical work to do on the pedestrian foot path that is there. And so because these works have been long overdue, the Ministry saw it best for us to immediately try and execute these routine and periodic maintenance of the structure in an effort of safety."
"And so the idea is that we have engaged a consultant, Cayo Steel limited for them to execute these works on our behalf."
Jules Vasquez
"Should persons using the bridge right now be concerned for its structural integrity and the safety of traversing it?"
Evondale Moody, MIDH Chief Engineer
"No, at this point in time, we don't think it is that critical that motorist should be concerned because the bridge already has restricted loading on the structure itself. Originally, the bridge was designed to carry a load of 26,000 pounds per vehicle."
"And so that has already been restricted and lowered. I think at this point in time, it's about 10,000 pounds. And so, for what we have traversing the bridge at this time, it is still safe, but because of the structural nature of that structure, we thought it was important for us to implement this as soon as possible."
"The bridge was constructed in, was completed in 1949. And so, to 2024, that's approximately 75 years. With the remedial works that we'll be doing on the structure, definitely we will be able to extend the design life of the bridge."
"However, that will have to be maintained as time goes by in terms of its structural integrity. The Hawkesworth Bridge definitely, I think, with the repairs that we're going to undertake, it should be able to give us maybe another 25 years with maintenance, of course."
The Hawkesworth Bridge was imported from England in 1949 and is named after former governor, Gerald Hawkesworth.
