– to change hydraulic rampThe Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is expected to be temporarily closed to largeDemerara Harbour Bridgeocean-going vessels in late April. This is to facilitate the removal of the old hydraulic ramp and the installation of a new one, says Rawlston Adams,Jordan Zimmermann Tigers Jersey, General Manager of the entity.The hydraulic ramp is the section of the retractor span that lifts off the acceptor span,Larry Csonka Dolphins Jersey, allowing the bridge to retract to facilitate the passage of large ocean going vessels.During a recent interview with this publication, Adams emphasised that management has a proposed commencement date for this operation but a definite date would be decided following consultations with the various entities that would be affected by the closure of the bridge to large vessels.He explained that essential cargo such as fuel is transported via water to various companies,Lance Alworth Chargers Jersey, including Guyana Power and Light at Garden-of-Eden,Karl Mecklenburg Denver Broncos Throwback Jersey, East Bank Demerara. Therefore, closure of the bridge to ocean going vessels without consulting companies on their stock levels could affect their operations and the country as a whole.“We have to ascertain the companies’ stock levels so we could understand how long they can go without replenishing those supplies…We cannot say we would close retraction for four days or a week and their supplies could only last for five days,” the General Manager stated.Taking into consideration that the DHB is the primary means for persons, goods and services to access the West Bank and West Coast Demerara,Kenjon Barner Eagles Jersey, management has planned this operation differently from the previous one done 15 years ago.He explained that that previous operation took two weeks and was closed to both vehicular and ocean-going vessels. However, management is aiming to complete this operation under two weeks and would be opened to vehicular traffic but on one lane by the retractor span.Cognizant that there would be severe traffic congestion during peak hours, Adams stated that works would be carried out at nights and during the ‘slow period’ of the day.Two Sundays ago,Atlanta Falcons Throwback Jersey, the first phase of this operation commenced with the bridge’s Engineers rehabilitating the acceptor span.Adams explained, “We had to lift the bridge proper off of the panels- remove the six broken panels because if those panels were not changed it would have lead to further deformation of the roller guides that accepts the bridge when it is retracting…This is very important because it is the heart of the bridge that keeps marine traffic going.”That operation was slated for six hours but it was completed in four and a half hours. He noted that management is pleased with the response of the traveling public to the alerts sent out informing them that the bridge would have been closed for six hours.