NORTH ANDROS — Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis on Friday officially opened the London Creek Bridge, marking an important part of the effort to regenerate natural creek systems across the island.
London Creek is one of a number of natural creek ecosystems in Andros which have become blocked due to the construction of roads across the creeks.
Such blockages cause severe damage to the natural aquatic ecosystem including, increased sedimentation in the creeks, modification of the mangroves and a decrease in the fish larvae export of the lagoon.
London Creek and Staniard Creek are among the most severely impacted creeks. Work is currently underway on the Stainiard Creek bridge.
“The London Creek project is important for the surrounding area as it will help to regenerate the natural flora and fauna of the creek system,” Prime Minister Minnis said on 22 January 2021 at the official opening ceremony with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works Hon. Desmond Bannister.
“This will provide a catalyst for eco-tourism in Andros by providing residents and visitors with the opportunity to have an up-close experience of beauty of the natural creek ecosystems in Andros.”
The London Creek project includes the provision of a series of reinforced concrete box-type culverts at the site. The culverts will improve the water flow in the area, allowing for the natural flushing of the creek.
In time, this will allow the natural regeneration of the ecosystem in the area, noted the Prime Minister.
The $2.1 million dollar contract for the bridge was signed in June 2019 with SJK Engineering & Construction.
The London Creek Bridge project also includes road improvements in the vicinity of the bridge, a vehicle guardrail and line markings and signs.
The project was successfully completed within budget in December 2020, when the bridge was opened to traffic, said Prime Minister Minnis.
The Prime Minister said there are other infrastructure improvements slated for Andros, including the repair of the road to the historic Red Bays settlement on the west coast of the island.
Following the London Creek Bridge ceremony, Prime Minister Minnis carried out site visits of the Stafford Creek, Staniard Creek and Fresh Creek bridges.
