ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, May 17, 2017 – GIS: A modern bridge linking the communities of La Fortune and La Mode is speedily underway in St. Patrick.  Work on what will be the new and improved La Fortune Bridge, featuring two-lane traffic and sidewalks commenced on February 27 and is due to be completed in July.

The GIS crew who visited the site Friday last, accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Works, met workers steadfastly preparing for the installation of steel and concrete.

Works Minister Hon. Gregory Bowen said he is pleased with how the project is advancing.

“We are making great progress. We spoke with the contractors and they understand the need for this by-pass road, and so they are going at a tremendous speed,” Minister Bowen said.

Work on the 67-foot reinforced concrete bridge is being undertaken by Gilbert and Partners Engineering, at just under half a million dollars.

Approximately twenty workers from the area are attached to the project.

Managing Director Mr. Joseph Gilbert says his team utilizes a special strategy to ensure that work progresses at a desired pace.

“We have shifts. We have a day shift that starts at 7:30 AM and finishes at 3:30 PM and an evening shift that starts at 3:00 PM and finishes at 11:00 PM. We are on schedule. We are ten weeks into the project and we are doing the beams and deck already,” the contractor said.

Parliamentary Representative for St. Patrick West Hon. Anthony Boatswain says he and his constituents are delighted with the project.

“The people of La Fortune, La Mode and the surrounding areas are extremely happy. For us this is a welcomed project. It could not have come a better time. The commuters will be happy, because we know whenever there is a major event in Sauteurs this route is what is used as an alternative. This is a very, very important by-pass road,” Minister Boatswain said.