(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – The dangerous gaps in the temporary wooden barrier along portions of the renowned Glass Window Bridge at the northern end of Gregory Town Eleuthera were finally being addressed on Wednesday, October 16th, 2013, albeit with temporary safety measures yet again. As we understand it, the measures being taken have been in the works since 2012, but it is worth noting that this action comes less than a week after Prime Minister Perry Christie accompanied by other Government Ministers, including Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchombe, drove from North Eleuthera past this bridge to and from an event in Gregory Town. The opening in the temporary guard, has been a fearful sight, for over two years and whatever the impetus at this point, it is a welcomed measure considering the inherent dangers of the “rage” of water that can occur.


Contractor Austin Knowles Sr. speaking with The Eleutheran’s Elizabeth Bryan at the site of some of the damage.

Most of the damage being repaired,  began during the passage of hurricane Earl in 2010, travelling 200 miles to the east of Eleuthera, at the time stirring up raging 25ft wave swells over the Bridge  and was exacerbated during hurricanes Irene and Sandy in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Access to the bridge was closed briefly on Wednesday as crews were seen placing large concrete barriers in front of the yawning gap facing the calm Bight of Eleuthera, as well as in front of the water piping which runs along the inner southwest side of the Bridge which has been susceptible to damage by vehicular traffic.

In charge of the week long project, valued at more than $30,000 in materials and labour, is Contractor, Mr. Austin Knowles Sr.  Knowles  has been involved with a number of the temporary projects done at the Glass Window Bridge, to keep it open and relatively safe for the motoring public. His work at the bridge includes some of the supporting concrete structures, placed after its dramatic physical shift of several feet, caused by a powerful wave, that hit the Atlantic Coast of Eleuthera back in 1991 – a year before hurricane Andrew passed over the area.


Three of the temporary barriers that came in from Grand Bahama for use on the Glass Window Bridge.

According to Knowles, the concrete barriers placed, will provide a much higher level of safety than the former temporary cat-eyed rope barrier that had been erected after the storm damage, however, he commented that they were not a permanent measure, as they would still be very susceptible to the force of water typically experienced in that area of the Bridge during storm or ‘rage’ activity.

 


Heavy equipment toting large barriers, on the aged Glass Window bridge


A closer view of structural damage lurking under the bridge that is not being addressed in the work being done.