MoW statement on accident at Cades Bay Bridge

The Ministry of Works is aware of a vehicular accident that occurred at the
construction site of the Cades Bay Bridge on August 13, during a period of
increased traffic through the area resulting from the Urlings Seafood Festival.
The Ministry was relieved to know that no one was seriously hurt in the incident.
Regrettably, its best efforts to prevent accidents in the area have been severely
hampered by the repeated theft of barricades, cones, and detour signage that are
helpful to members of the driving public, in navigating the construction area.
Police barricades were initially erected and were proving quite effective.
Additionally, detour signs and cones were installed and erected as work on the
bridge progressed, but they have been removed in repeated malicious acts of theft
and vandalism.
Undaunted, Minister of Works, the Honorable Maria Browne, made it her business
to ensure that even more effective signage, that was custom-made and securely
fastened to the ground using chains and blocks were installed. Unfortunately, these
were stolen and the two additional cones put on site following the string of thefts,
were also stolen.
Two bridge walls were constructed on July 28, resulting in the removal of the
material used to block access to the site. Backfilling will commence following the
21 days needed to set the aforementioned walls.
Motorists are being urged to proceed with caution in the area. More work will
continue later this week and barring any further unforeseen incidents the bridge
should be fully restored in an estimated nine weeks.
The Ministry is further urging those persons who are making it a practice to
remove the caution signs to desist from doing so, since their actions could cause
harm to innocent drivers, and is only slowing the pace of the necessary
improvement repairs.