HAYES, Clarendon – The Dawkins Pen Bridge, also known as the Two Sisters Bridge in Raymonds, South East Clarendon has reopened following reconstruction work costing $70 million.

The bridge collapsed during heavy rains in June 2011, forcing motorists on the Vere main road to use an alternative route through a section of the Monymusk canefield.

It was officially reopened last Wednesday, with the original steel structure replaced with a reinforced concrete box culvert.

Richard Azan, state minister in the Transport and Works Ministry, said the work was completed in “record time and within budget”.

“I want to personally thank the (May Pen) Mayor (Scean Barnswell) and Member of Parliament (Rudyard Spencer) for working together with the contractor (Dwight’s Construction) to ensure that we complete the project on time and within budget,” Azan said.

“Some 800 persons were employed on this project over the period of four months and for us to complete it without one day of stoppage or theft, I must say it was a worthwhile $70 million. I, therefore, want to thank the community for working with the contractor,” he said.

Fredrick Bryan, president of the Vere Taxi Association, said the restoration of the bridge is welcome news.

“We are overjoyed,” he said. “We have been waiting for a long time and now that it is complete we are grateful.”

“I also want to ask my colleagues to obey the road code while transporting passengers,” he continued, adding, “and please don’t consume any alcoholic beverage while on the job.”

Spencer and Barnswell echoed Bryan’s sentiments.

“We are advising that you use this road with due regard to pedestrians and we are not expecting to have any accidents on this road,” Spencer said. “If we use the road the way it ought to be used we will have this bridge for a very long time.”