FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, July 29 — Lucaya Service Company Limited (LUSCO), a subsidiary of The Grand Bahama Development Company Limited, continues its work to repair and maintain critical infrastructure for the benefit of Lucaya residents.
The Casuarina Bridge is presently undergoing necessary repairs to ensure the safety of motorists. Since 1975, the Casuarina Bridge has served Grand Bahama communities by connecting the Grand Bahama Highway to East Sunrise Highway.
Over the years, the bridge has experienced wear and tear, which was further exacerbated by the high winds and storm surge conditions imposed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. With the repair work diligently progressing, LUSCO is focussing on the bridge’s side and abutment embankment slopes, with the intent to reinstate a safe passageway and full use of the bridge to residents.
Working with LUSCO on the rehabilitation of the bridge are engineering and project management firm Integrated Building Services (IBS), for the design of the repair process and administration of the construction works on site, and contractor ABC Construction for completion of the rehabilitation project.
“Together with our project partners, we’ve undertaken the restoration of Casuarina Bridge and are utilising this opportunity to repair general wear and tear of the 47-year-old structure, so that it can continue to serve Grand Bahama residents safely for many years to come,” said Charisse Brown, Chief Executive Officer & Senior Legal Counsel at LUSCO.
“Since January, significant progress has been made,” continued Mrs. Brown. “Completed to-date are the seawall construction design, clearing and grubbing of the site, removal of large boulders, construction of the embankments to about 50% and clearing to begin seawall construction. It is expected that much of the remaining work will be completed over the next four months.”
The Sir Jack Hayward Bridge, which connects the western side of the Grand Bahama Highway to the eastern side of the island, was constructed in March 2016. Similar to the Casuarina Bridge, Hurricane Dorian caused erosion of the bridge side and abutment embankment slopes. Contractors, officially mobilized earlier this month, have begun clearing and grubbing the embankments, and are set to begin reconstruction of the embankment in the coming weeks. The project is scheduled to be completed within four and a half months of commencement.
ABC Construction has put in place traffic management measures such as signage and flagmen to maintain public safety for the duration of the construction work. Drivers of heavy-duty vehicles in excess of five tons have been redirected to the Sir Jack Hayward Bridge. Mrs. Brown added, “We ask for the motoring public’s continued patience and vigilance to ensure the repairs can be completed safely and on time.”
