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Simpson Bay Bridge Roadway to receive speed bumps; Motorists advised to be Alert
by SxmGIS
Posted: Jun 4, 2007 23:29 UTC
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GREAT BAY (GIS) – In the late hours of Monday night June 4, 2007, Windward Roads will construct two traffic speed bumps of 10 meters each on both sides of the Simpson Bay Bridge, the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation announced over the weekend.
The increased heavy traffic over the bridge and in particular the dynamic load caused by overloaded trucks and other heavy equipment, traveling most of the time at a high speed are exceeding the design criteria of the extended bridge. As a result, high stress conditions are imposed on the bridge due to the impact of the heavy loaded traffic.
Measures have to be taken to reduce the impact of the heavy loaded traffic on the wear and tear of the bridge and to guarantee the durability and lifespan of the bridge structure, Managing Director of the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation, Russell Voges told the Government Information Service (GIS) over the weekend.
The recommendations last year of the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority based on the reports of the inspectors of Rijkswaterstaat, were to construct speed bumps on each side of the bridge in order to lower the speed of the oncoming traffic, limiting in this manner the direct impact on the structure of the bridge.
During the construction of the speed bumps, the traffic will only be able to use one lane at a time until the construction has been completed. The necessary precautions will be taken to guarantee a smooth and safe flow of traffic during the construction activities late at night. The area will be well lit and traffic signs will indicate work in progress.
In accordance with the Traffic Ordinance (Wegenverkeersverordening Bovenwindse Eilanden AB 1963 No. 5.) ,traffic signs will be put up to indicate that (1) the oncoming traffic is nearing a bridge; that (2) the maximum velocity allowed when crossing over, is 30 km per hour and that (3) the maximum weight allowed when crossing over the bridge is 45 tons.
Since the Simpson Bay bridge deck was lengthened in 2003 from 12 meters to 17 meters, not only the rapid development of the marine and yachting sector took off, but also increased building activities commenced in the Low Lands district with many large scale projects being constructed at the same time. From the new airport terminal in Simpson Bay to several high rise condo buildings and hotel resorts in the Low Lands, many projects were being developed and executed simultaneously.
After the mentioned bumps and traffic signs are in place, the Police will commence a strict traffic control to ensure continuous compliance with the traffic measures. During this control not only the speed and weight of the heavy trucks and containers and heavy equipment will be judged, but also if the transportation of sand and blocks is done in a secure and safe manner namely that the material is fully secured and that the sand is fully covered by canvas so it is not scattered around and blown off the truck all along its transportation route.
Every time the bridge is cleaned of sand and debris, a huge amount of sand has to be shoveled up and spouted off. This sand clogs up the drains of the bridge deck and prevents the surface and rainwater from running off.
The traffic measures indicated above being the introduction of the speed bumps and the traffic signs, form part of the Traffic Measures Decree No. 4, 2006 of October 26, 2006 and are mentioned in articles 18; 19 and 20.
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