The National Works Agency (NWA) is advising motorists that the Northbound carriageway of the Howard Cooke Bridge, in the vicinity of Harmony Beach Park, St James will be closed for six weeks to facilitate repairs.

The closure will take effect on Wednesday (August 17). As such, motorists should expect delays when traversing the area.

The Harbour Street and Market Street intersection will also be closed to vehicular traffic to reduce congestion.

DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION

Janel Ricketts, community relations officer for the NWA’s Western Region, said in a release that the bridge’s expansion joints are defective.

The repair will focus on the demolition and reconstruction of the concrete abutment to the bridge. The defective expansion joints will also be replaced.

The closure will last for six weeks to facilitate a 28 days curing period for the concrete works that will take place, said Ricketts.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES

Road users, travelling along Howard Cooke Boulevard, towards the direction of the Sangster’s International Airport, may travel via the lower section of Market Street. In the vicinity of the Baywest Shopping Centre, turn left on to Harbour Street, and then proceed to Queens Drive, or Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.

Motorists travelling from the Fairfield direction, towards the Sangster’s International Airport, who are desirous of bypassing the city centre, may travel via Fairfield, Catherine Mount, Hemmingay Way, and then on to the Dr Horace Chang Boulevard, before making their way to the Elegant Corridor.