OUR CELEBRATION of Emancipation Day on Tuesday once again signal yet another landmark in our life as a nation. Indeed Emancipation Day apart from the fact that it reminded us of the time when our ancestors was granted freedom from the bondage of slavery, it should also propel us to recognise and preserve as far as is humanly possible these historical legacies which have been handed down to us by our forefathers.
One such treasure happens to be the Flat Bridge situated at the entrance to the famous Bog Walk gorge in St. Catherine. The Flat Bridge is perhaps the only bridge in the western hemisphere with the kind of structural configuration there is, as with no supporting railing to the sides, the bridge which span the width of the Rio Cobre River is anchored only to three mass of concrete. And because it is flat as the name suggests, travellers, especially those passing over it for the first time, often get "goose flesh pimples".
After a few trips, however, such fear is normally dispelled. For months though I have been watching two small pot holes which are in the centre of the bridge turn into giant size ditches to the extent that motorists are now literally swinging from them Such practice is a big gamble as this could turn into a mishap, which could land motorists and passengers into the river.
Another situation which I have observed at the same spot on the bridge, only this time it is underneath the bridge where debris of all kinds have been allowed to gather around the pillars of the bridge, thus preventing the smooth flowing of water.
These problems must be tackled with some urgency before the real rainy season starts. This is not only to avoid the closing of the bridge, which normally stem from the overflowing of excess water, but so as to prevent major disaster from occurring. You have been warned.
