The Ministry of Works and Transport is pleased to announce the that bridge B2in1 Cunapo Southern Road, Sangre Grande was officially opened today, Saturday 28th September, 2019.
Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan, MInister of Works and Transport, Mr. terry Rondon, Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corproation , Mrs. Glenda Jennings smith , Member of PArliament Mrs. Glenda Jennings- Smith, Member of Parliament for Toco/Sangre Grande and Mrs. Christine Newallo-Hosein, Member of Parliament for Cumuto/Manzanilla and others were on hand for the brief opening ceremony.
Background of the Project
Over the past decade, the Ministry of Works and Transport has received numerous requests from the business community, residents, and SWAHA Hindu College indicating that the Cunapo Bridge was unsafe to traverse. Their main concerns included:
1. Lack of pedestrian access along the bridge particularly for children attending the above mentioned school
2. Reduced traffic flow along the Cunapo Southern Main Road as the bridge could only accommodate single lane traffic
3. The continued dilapidation of the existing bridge
4. Perennial flooding in the area
Given these concerns, the Ministry of Works and Transport was intent on having the bridge reconstructed as a matter of national concern. On April 28th 2014, the Ministry initiated the process to procure consultants to undertake the necessary studies and designs for thirteen (13) bridges, including B2/1 Cunapo Southern Road, through its executing agency the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO). By January 06th 2016 Design and Construction Supervision Consultancy, who was awarded the contract for the Cunapo Bridge Project provided two (2) design options for the reconstruction of the bridge:
Option 1 - The realignment of the river channel with the new bridge being constructed south of the existing structure. This option would have best treated with drainage issues in the area and the challenge of providing a feasible detour road during reconstruction of the new bridge.
Option 2 –
Reconstruction of the new bridge in the existing location. This option required extensive river works to solve the local flooding that existed due to the poor river alignment. Additionally, the proposed road detour for this option was through Baxter Trace and the Eastern Main Road which would have required the traffic to traverse the crowded Sangre Grande town centre.
After consultation with the relevant stakeholders, the Ministry along with the Drainage Division, the Environmental, Health and Safety Unit, Chief Traffic Engineer and members of the fence line community agreed that option 1 was the most feasible solution as it :
1. Was cost effective
2. Solved the localized flooding in the area
3. The least disruptive to the general public
4. Increased the span of the Cunapo Bridge from 20 to 27 meters.
5. Increased the capacity of the realigned channel to 43% more than the capacity of the existing channel at the old bridge structure.
The Cunapo Bridge Project was executed under Phase 2 of the Bridge Reconstruction programme and construction works commenced in April 2018. Construction works included the reconstruction of the new 27 meter span bridge south of the existing bridge structure, realignment and construction of 229 meters of the new river channel on lands being acquired, demolition of the old bridge and backfilling and regrading of the existing river channel.
The Ministry was committed to providing a safe and reliable bridge for all road users including pedestrians. Additional benefits of this new bridge include significantly reduced delays, time lost, road user costs, vehicle emissions from exhaust associated with these traffic issues and reduced localized flooding along the Cunapo Southern Main Road.
This new two-lane bridge also includes two pedestrian footpaths that will eliminate the excessive traffic pileups that exist along the Cunapo Southern Main Road and the ancillary associated networks such as Juteram Street, Mary Street, Paul Street, Barker Trace and Eastern Main Road.
The Ministry thanks the people of Sangre Grande and environs for their patience and cooperation and looks forward to the continued improvement of the social and economic lives of all citizens.