Construction continues at West Basseterre Bypass, investigation remains ‘incomplete’
Staff Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Construction continues at the accident site
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-THREE days shy of the somber two month anniversary of the West Basseterre Bypass bridge collapse government officials have confirmed that work has resumed at the site, but no official word has yet been submitted as to what caused the incident.
On May 14th tragedy struck at the West Basseterre Bypass Project when a bridge being poured there collapsed and killed Allick Toney, a native of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Also injured in the incident were Mortland Watterton and Ian Warde, both of Guyana.
St. Kitts & Nevis Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas stated in his monthly press conference yesterday that, “I do not have an update for you immediately, but I know there has been the appropriate follow-up.”
SKNVibes.com made several attempts to contact the Department of Public Works about their investigation into the incident, but received no official comment other than “the investigation remains on-going and the public will be informed in due time”.
The PM did say in the press conference that Hon. Earl ‘Asim’ Martin, Minister with responsibility for Public Works had received a preliminary report on the incident which indicated that the struts used to suspend the bridge forms during pouring were “more than adequate”.
“What I understand further is that maybe it was the rate of pouring and the distribution of the concrete that might have led to the problem,” Douglas revealed.
“I do not have a final quote on the matter, but I give a commitment that you will have it, if it is available, by tomorrow.”
The PM’s remarks come exactly one month after this media house contacted the Department of Public Works and was informed by Permanent Secretary Oaklyn Peets that their investigative report in conjunction with Halcrow Ltd. was due “any day now”.
SKNVibes.com’s investigations also revealed that work had resumed at the bridge site some weeks ago, and the PM confirmed these findings in the press conference.
It was not made clear if the construction firm originally contracted to the job, WIN Aggregate Ltd. is currently completing the bridge or if a new company has been brought in to do the work.
One thing is clear, however, the bridge will no longer be a bridge. Upon visiting the site this week, SKNVibes.com discovered that the forms and struts for the bridge had been removed completely and the cavity was filled in with dirt. Atop of the dirt, rebar forms have been laid and the work crew will be pouring a standard section of roadway.
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Bridge after collapse
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Bridge before collapse
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