DVRP constructs climate-resilient bridge in Piaye
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
by DVRP
THE INCREASED HYDRAULIC CAPACITY OF THE BRIDGE REDUCES FLOOD RISK.

For close to a decade, the single lane emergency Bailey bridge at Piaye has reminded residents of the destruction wrought by the 2013 Christmas Eve trough, including the severing of communities as bridges washed away. The history of Bailey bridges at Piaye, however, is much longer, going back to 1994 following damage by Tropical Storm Debbie. Since then, the original Bailey bridge has been replaced with other temporary bridges over time.

After close to 30 years of temporary fixes, the DVRP, through its European Union funding envelope, is constructing a climate resilient bridge in Piaye. The new Piaye Bridge is designed by LCC Group of Saint Lucia to increase user safety and significantly reduce the risk of the bridge washing away again as hurricanes and floods intensify. 

Construction of the approximately USD 2.7 million bridge began in February 2022 by OB Sadoo Engineering Services Limited and is expected to conclude in April 2023.

Supervision of the bridge’s construction is the responsibility of AC&A of Argentina. The World Bank observed construction progress to date during their DVRP Mission in early April 2022.