Craig Mill in Portland may get temporary pedestrian bridge after collapse of structure

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie hinted on Wednesday that plans will be fast-tracked to construct a temporary bridge to facilitate pedestrian movement amid the displacement caused by the collapse of the Craig Mill Bridge in Buff Bay, Portland.

This bridge will improve conditions for residents from areas such as Craig Mill, Belvedere, White Hall, and adjoining communities.

The Craig Mill Bridge, which was deemed unsafe and closed sometime in 2018, partially collapsed under the weight of a truck laden with stones last December.

McKenzie, along with Minister with responsibility for Works Robert Morgan and Portland West Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz, who is also a Government Minister, toured the area.

McKenzie described the Craig Mill Bridge as a disaster area.

He stated that he would agree to create something temporary for pedestrians, while priority treatment would be given to plans for a special procurement process to expedite the construction of a new bridge.

The Craig Mill Bridge was condemned in 2012, with the National Works Agency (NWA) posting the necessary warning signs.

However, residents continued to use the structure, especially during heavy rainfall when the nearby river swells.

This renders the area impassable, leaving residents stranded.

Wednesday’s visit by the officials provided some hope to residents, including Delroy Fisher, Marcia Hill, Tamar Brown, and Calvin Heslop, who all agreed that, at long last, something meaningful was on the horizon.

“I now feel that something is going to happen, and help is coming our way this time around, even though we might have to wait a little longer,” commented Hill, speaking on behalf of the group.

“It has been a very frustrating period for us, and I do understand that a bridge doesn’t just fall from the sky—it’s a process. Whenever it rains heavily, no one can cross the ford, so I believe it is a wise decision to build a temporary bridge for us to walk on, so we can get in and out of our community,” she added.

- Gareth Davis Snr

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