The much-anticipated repair work on the Melvin Hill Bridge in St Joseph is finally set to move forward, with preparatory activities scheduled to begin this weekend. The bridge, a critical infrastructure link, was closed over a month ago due to safety concerns, leaving residents and commuters reliant on an alternate route. Contractors from the China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation (COMPLANT), in collaboration with local sub-contractor C.O. Williams Construction Ltd., will initiate debushing operations to facilitate a comprehensive site assessment by utility companies. Adrian Mayers, Project Manager at C.O. Williams Construction, emphasized that this assessment is crucial for identifying necessary relocations of utility services before full-scale repairs can commence. Since the bridge’s closure, the bypass route from Springfield to Newton Crescent has served as the primary alternative. The Ministry of Transport and Works has recently upgraded this route, addressing issues such as tree trimming, pothole repairs, and culvert replacement. Jenifer King, Chief Technical Officer at the Ministry, announced that paving of the bypass road is expected to begin next week. The Transport Board, which had initially expressed concerns about vehicle safety on the alternate route, has lauded the Ministry’s efforts. Operations Manager Gena Boyce confirmed the Board’s satisfaction with the improvements and anticipates the road will be fully operational for buses and other vehicles within two weeks. The Melvin Hill Bridge was deemed unstable and closed last month, prompting the Ministry to reiterate its warning to the public to avoid the bridge and use the bypass route once it officially opens.