The Bridge Authority will address long-standing issues with the Paradise Island exit bridge before the end of this month, Bridge Authority Director Melissa Hall indicated yesterday. Hall, who was contacted for comment, said the Bridge Authority expects to sign a contract on January 25 for the repairs and strengthening works of that bridge. While she said the cost of those works is nearly $6 million, Hall later contacted The Nassau Guardian and said that figure was incorrect. Hall did not provide a revised figure.

Last June, Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson said the estimated cost to undertake the repair and strengthening works is $5,344,128. When contacted yesterday, Gibson said more details will be released at the contract signing.

The Guardian reported in January 2014 that despite initial indications from Bridge Authority Chairman Rory Higgs that the bridge "has pretty much exceeded its useful life", according to Ministry of Works Senior Structural Engineer Robert Mouzas, the need to build a third bridge is unnecessary.

"I think there is life left in the bridge and with the [vehicles] that actually use the bridge that we have... capacity is adequate for the traffic flow," Mouzas said.

Gibson has said the Ministry of Works recommended carrying out the repairs, strengthening the eastern bridge with regular maintenance and replacing the structure in 2042. He pointed to the importance of the bridge project, noting it is something that should have been in place for years.

"We see heavy equipment going over the bridge on a daily basis [but] we have no idea of exactly what the tonnage is for those vehicles and in some instances they are much heavier than both bridges can accommodate, and so it's important for us to get [repairs] in motion on the bridge," Gibson said.

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