The Guyanese Ministry of Public Works has declared an immediate weight restriction on the structurally compromised High Street bridge spanning the Cummings Canal in Kingston. Effective Tuesday, January 6, 2026, vehicles exceeding 10 tons are prohibited from using the critical infrastructure link between Lamaha and Cowan Streets.
This emergency measure follows the discovery of both visible cracking and significant settlement—or sinking—of the bridge structure over recent months. Ministry officials attribute the deterioration to two primary factors: consistent stress from overloaded commercial vehicles and the advanced age of the structure itself.
The bridge serves as a vital transportation artery for Guyana’s commercial and industrial sectors, facilitating round-the-clock movement of oil sector equipment, construction materials (including sand, cement, and stone), and agricultural products such as rice and paddy. The new regulation will necessitate substantial rerouting for heavy freight operators.
While the immediate restriction aims to prevent catastrophic failure, the ministry has confirmed that the long-term solution requires complete reconstruction of the bridge. Officials acknowledge the project’s complexity due to the structure’s central location and have pledged to schedule rebuilding operations with minimal disruption to public mobility and commerce.
The Public Works Ministry has issued formal advisories urging all truck operators to identify alternative routes and comply with the 10-ton weight limit to ensure public safety.