A model bridge designed by students could be the possible solution to a problem that has existed at the Fishing Hole Road for more than a decade, according to Agatha Marcelle, parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Immigration, Labour and Training.
Ms. Marcelle got a look at the model on Wednesday, when she attended the opening ceremony of the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) Grand Bahama campus’ 6th annual Career Fair where it was on display in the convention centre at the Sheraton at Our Lucaya, as part of the activities planned for Career and Technical Week.
The model bridge was designed and built by two students in the BTVI’s Welding course under the direction of their instructor Trevor Martin.
Ms. Marcelle said the model seems to be the surface solution, but she would have to learn a little more about it.
“I have to learn a little more about its components and how it can stand up to the weather, cost of construction and things like that, but it is definitely worth looking into,” she said.
Noting the fact that students built the model, Ms. Marcelle said that it is even more of a reason why it should be looked at.
“I hope this model would be presented to the government to look at,” she said. “The young people have creative ideas and we as administrators and people who like to call ourselves in charge of things, we must find a way to utilize the skills and talents of those young persons.”
BTVI Welding Instructor Martin said he and his students have been working on the bridge from January.
He said the idea came to him one morning at about 3:30 and he told his students, who said, “Let’s go for it.”
Excited over Ms. Marcelle’s comments, Mr. Martin said if the government does decide to construct a bridge like the one he and his students built, he would be more than happy to work along with them.
“I wouldn’t have any hesitation to working along with them and showing them what we have done here,” he said.
Mr. Martin explained that the reason he wanted the bridge model on display at the fair is so that persons from the public and private sector could get a look at it and really consider constructing it.
He added that one person in particular who has always expressed concern over the flooding problems at Fishing Hole Road is Senator Caleb Outten, former president of People United to Make Progress (PUMP).
“He was always a strong advocate for the bridge and this is why we did this so that people from the community and persons from government could come and have a look at it and maybe say, ‘Well, hey, we should go for this,” Martin explained.
The Fishing Hole Road, which lies in the middle of a large body of water, floods excessively in hurricanes and major storms, often-times denying residents of West Grand Bahama access to Freeport, where the only hospital in Grand Bahama is located.
Since 1992 when the Free National Movement (FNM) became the Government, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said a bridge connecting West Grand Bahama to Freeport was essential and that the Government, with the assistance of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, would see to it that one was built.
However, with the change in Governments the construction of the bridge has see-sawed between both sides.
Following an in-depth discussion last month with
residents of West Grand Bahama regarding the construction of a bridge over the Fishing Hole Road, Minister of Works Bradley Roberts pledged that the Govern-ment and the Ministry would find the best solution to resolve the flooding in that area.
In November of 2002, Mr. Roberts announced that the PLP Government was reviewing proposals from engineering companies for the construction of a mini bridge.
Mr. Roberts had said a contract would have been awarded for the construction of the bridge sometime in 2003.
By ANGELO ARMBRISTER, Freeport News Reporter
