Dangerous crossing - Residents choose between closed bridge and a detour river route

Some residents in Easington, St Thomas, say they are trapped between two dangers as they continue to navigate a damaged bridge linked to a fatal fall and a makeshift alternative route they describe as unsafe and unreliable.

Despite the structure being officially closed following a series of incidents -- including a 90-year-old man who died after falling through a hole and another man who was seriously injured -- many still choose to cross it on foot rather than take the longer detour through the Yallahs River.

They say the alternative route becomes treacherous during heavy rains and lacks basic safety features such as proper lighting.

When THE STAR visited the area last week, pedestrians -- appearing to be teenage boys and young adult males -- were seen carefully navigating along the remains of the damaged bridge, steadying themselves against its sides as they evaded a gaping hole in the structure. The massive opening serves as stark and haunting reminder of tragedy. On Good Friday, Raphael Bryan died after he fell through the hole, which was formed following the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October.

Another man, 46-year-old Cephas Johnson, miraculously survived his fall - albeit with several serious injuries - two days after the hurricane.

The National Work Agency (NWA) has since closed the bridge, which connects communities such as Easington, Woodbourne and Albion to areas like Norris and Heartease.

Large mounds of sand have been deposited at both approaches to the bridge, effectively blocking access at either end. As a result, an alternative passage has been carved out through the Yallahs River; however, residents say the makeshift route is neither adequate nor safe. Beyond the lack of street lighting along the corridor, they also voiced concern that rising waters could easily sweep them away, particularly during heavy rains, leaving many uneasy about using the crossing.

Isaac Bryan, Raphael's son, told THE STAR that he continues to use the crossing even after his father's tragic death.

"It is so hard for the people in the community to walk through the riverbed or go around Albion," he said.

The alternative route via Albion adds about 30 minutes by car.

"I walk there as well," he said of the damaged bridge. He admitted that "It's dangerous" using the bridge but stressed that the alternative route is "terrible, so nobody naah go walk there".

Residents agree that this option comes with great risks. Gregory Williams, a truck driver, said concerns heighten during periods of heavy rainfall, noting that the situation recently worsened when persistent showers caused the river to swell and run strongly, leaving many uneasy about attempting the crossing.

"Some people couldn't go across it because of the high water, so this wah dem make just don't make no sense," he said.

"If rain starts to fall now and school let out, then them can't cross there. They would have to stay at the school until the water draws," he said.

Meanwhile, Stephen Shaw, manager of communication and customer services at NWA, told THE STAR that the detour is not meant to be an all-weather road.

"It is a detour to allow a shorter passage for persons who want to bypass the bridge, which is closed. It is defective and closed. If the river is in spate or if it is raining, we do not expect anyone to use it," he said.

He added, "It is a ford. St Thomas is not a stranger to fords; we have many of them in the parish. So, if it is raining, we expect persons to not use it and go through Albion."

When asked if nothing else can be done to deter pedestrian from crossing the defective bridge, Shaw said that individuals must take responsibility for their actions.

"They know it is closed. They decide to take the risk. They have to take responsibility," he said.

"It is not about what else should be done. We have put physical impediments there. We have stated categorically that the road is closed," he stressed.

Works minister Robert Morgan has said the bridge is among those to be addressed under the Accelerated Bridge Programme. The programme will target 47 bridges nationwide.

However, he did not say when work will begin on a new structure.