More than three dozen residents of Saint John’s Trace in Fyzabad remain stranded after the only access bridge to the village collapsed into the Godineau River early on Wednesday morning.
According to residents in the area, sometime around 4am a vibration was felt, followed by a loud crashing sound. When residents came out to begin their day, they found the concrete bridge – the only access to the main road – broken in half and partially submerged in the river.
Thanks to the efforts of a contractor in the area, residents are able to cross the river with a small boat. However, a main concern now for most of the residents who are self employed is accessing the main road with their goods.
Residents say they have been pleading for about seven years with various authorities for the more than 50 year old structure to be repaired. The collapsed bridge has also left the community without a supply of pipe-borne water.