With the Bailey bridge spanning the Hope River in Harbour View almost ready to accommodate vehicular traffic, a number of safety restrictions are to be put in place for the use of the single-lane facility.

The Ministry of Transport said yesterday that following the opening of the bridge to limited vehicular traffic, the National Works Agency (NWA) will be doing some protective work to the five columns now supporting the structure, and will also be monitoring the overall facility for at least two weeks, to determine if any modification(s) may be necessary to any aspect of it.

The following restrictions will be applicable to the use of the new Bailey bridge:

1)	A weight limit will be applied to vehicles.
2)	Among buses, only those carrying up to 32 passengers, including one type of unit from the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) fleet, will be allowed to use the facility, until further notice.
3)	No large trucks or trailers are allowed to use the bridge at any time.
4)	Consideration is being given to the closure of the bridge around 2 a.m. to protect against misuse.

Transport Minister Mike Henry, in a release, assured operators of large trucks and other heavy units that arrangements were being made to establish a ford in the Harbour View area, to allow for such units to cross the Hope River very soon.

Discussions are also being held for the barging of foodstuff, fuel and other very important cargo to the Bowden Wharf in St Thomas.