The minister announced this on Wednesday, ahead of the meeting of the Council of Ministers. According to Tsang, one of the five locations examined stood out in particular. There is a strong possibility that this location will ultimately be selected for the construction of the new bridge.
“It is not yet fully finalised,” the minister stressed. For the time being, he did not wish to disclose further details, as the project is still in a preparatory phase.
Increasing traffic pressure on the Wijdenboschbrug
The plans for a second river crossing come at a time when traffic pressure on the Jules Wijdenboschbrug is continuing to increase. Long traffic jams occur daily on the bridge, which connects Paramaribo with Meerzorg in the district of Commewijne. There are also concerns about the state of maintenance and the strain placed on the bridge by heavy freight traffic.
DNA member Karta Bink recently drew attention in De Nationale Assemblee (Suriname’s parliament) to traffic safety and the maintenance of the Wijdenboschbrug. According to the parliamentarian, heavily loaded trucks use the crossing every day.
“Vehicles carrying heavy equipment and tonnes of cargo cross the bridge daily,” Bink stated.
She asked the government whether sufficient checks are carried out on the weight of trucks and what maximum load is permitted on the bridge.
Call for stricter control of heavy freight traffic
Bink advocated allowing heavily loaded vehicles to use the bridge only at certain times. According to her, such a measure could help reduce traffic congestion and limit safety risks.
“We do not want a truck carrying logs to again ram a number of vehicles off the bridge, resulting in numerous victims,” the parliamentarian warned.
She was referring to the serious traffic accident of 15 December 2021, in which a truck carrying logs rammed several vehicles while descending the Wijdenboschbrug. One person died in that accident.
According to Bink, measures must be taken to prevent a recurrence of such an accident.
Bridge maintenance also highlighted
In addition to traffic pressure and heavy freight traffic, Bink called attention to the technical condition of the bridge. She urged the Ministry of OWRO to carry out regular inspections and adequate maintenance.
“Trees are growing on the bridge, and that cannot be allowed,” she remarked.
With the possible construction of a second bridge across the Suriname River, an alternative connection between Paramaribo and Commewijne could eventually be created. For the time being, it is not known when a final location will be selected, how much the project will cost, or when construction work could begin.
