One Month into the hurricane season, memories of the destruction caused by Hurricane Gustav are fresh in the minds of those who were affected by the collapse of the harbour View bridge.

The structure, which connects Kingston to St Thomas and several communities in St Andrew, such as Bull Bay and Caribbean Terrace, was cut in half by the raging waters of the Hope River in August 2008. For weeks, those on either side of the bridge could only come to a point and wave to those on the opposite side. This was before enterprising residents came up with a way to get persons across - through the river.

In September, a bailey bridge, catering to single-lane traffic, was erected and opened, allowing movement back and forth. Heavy-duty traffic was banned from using the bridge and after complaints about hour-long waits because of traffic, a ford was constructed adjacent to the bridge.

Almost one year after the disaster, the National Works Agency (NWA) says steps have been taken to start the construction of a new bridge. Communication Manager at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, told THE STAR, "We are well under way with the plans. All the post-contract steps have already been completed, including surveys and soil tests. The project was recently (June) tendered and we expect that these tenders will be returned by September. It is our intention to commence the construction of the new bridge before the end of this year."

He said the bridge, which has been closed since the construction of the ford, would be used if the ford becomes impassable because of flooding.