Jackass River Bridge collapses

The National Works Agency (NWA) is advising the public, that a section of the Toll Gate to Bushmouth main road, in Westmoreland, in the vicinity of the Townhead community, is now impassable.

This, as the Jackass River Bridge, situated along the corridor, has collapsed. The affected location is now inaccessible to vehicular traffic.

 The Tollgate to Bushmouth roadway serves several rural communities including Truro Gate and Townhead. The roadway also serves as a link to the neighboring parish of Hanover, by way of the Bushmouth community.

Community Relations Officer for the NWA’s Western Region, Janel Ricketts, says that the team is now conducting the necessary damage assessment.

Residents of Townhead, who wish to access the Bushmouth community and its environs, may use the alternate route via Gooden’s River and Glasgow. Similarly, commuters travelling from the direction of Bushmouth, towards the Townhead community and the neighboring town of Savanna la Mar, should travel via Riley and Glasgow.

The NWA also said that the failure of the bridge infrastructure stems from sustained heavy rains experienced in the parish over the past two weeks.

Flood waters have caused scouring behind and beneath the abutment footing, resulting in the collapse of the bridge.

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