The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The Ministry of Works’ deputy director yesterday said the $5.34m construction of The Bahamas’ longest-ever single span bridge will boost eco-tourism and creek regeneration as well as enhancing climate change resilience.

Robert Mouzas said Abaco’s new Angel Fish Creek Bridge project, which was officially commissioned last March, had resulted from close collaboration between the public and private sectors on an initiative that went beyond creating sustainable infrastructure post-Hurricane Dorian.

Speaking on transport infrastructure for small island developing states (SIDS) at the International Road Federation’s (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress, Mr Mouzas said: “The Angel Fish Creek Bridge project is an example of close collaboration between the public and private sectors in order to achieve the main goals of enhanced transport infrastructure with the desired environmental improvements using sustainable, climate resilient design and construction methods.”

Designed by Mr Mouzas, and built by Stephan and Mark Knowles, Long Islanders from SJK Engineering and Construction Services, the $5.34m structure spans 256 feet and is a sturdy, steel truss designed to withstand hurricane conditions. It features a boat ramp and solar street lighting.

Mr Mouzas explained that due to climate change, intense storms such as Hurricane Dorian are expected to occur more frequently, thus elevating the importance of sustainable infrastructure. He said: “During the passage of Hurricane Dorian, the culvert structure suffered severe damage from storm surge, and the structure and road were unusable. A temporary road causeway had to be constructed to the north of the site to enable road traffic access across the waterway.

“Unfortunately, Hurricane Dorian was not a one-off event. It is commonly felt, and widely now accepted, that storms are not going to decrease in number nor intensity. As a result of climate change, scientists are predicting that storms more powerful than Hurricane Dorian are more than likely to occur in the future. Therefore it is important to build resilience and sustainability into our infrastructure.”

Mr Mouzas admitted that prior to the passage of Hurricane Dorian, the Little Abaco Causeway - now the Angel Fish Creek Bridge - prevented the free flow of water underneath the structure. This created an environmental issue and, following the bridge’s reconstruction, the water was able to flow freely for the first time in decades. Water colour improved within days, and wildlife soon returned to the area.

He said: “The Little Abaco Causeway has been the subject of environmental concerns for over 30 years, and the construction of the Angel Fish Creek Bridge is a welcome development for North Abaco. This project is important for the area as it will not only regenerate the natural flora and fauna of the creek system, but it will provide a catalyst for eco-tourism in Abaco by providing both locals and tourists with the opportunity to have a close-at-hand experience of the beauty of the natural creeks ecosystems in Abaco.

“The temporary causeway has now been removed, which allows the creek system to experience tidal flow for the first time in over 70 years. In just a few days, the water changed from a stagnant dark green colour to the aquamarine blue associated with the colour in The Bahamas. Many fish, turtles and sharks have been viewed from the bridge.”

The bridge was reopened in March 2022, and Mr Mouzas said adopting the ‘build back better’ strategy after natural disasters ensures marine infrastructure can better withstand the devastating effects of storm surges. He added that the Angel Fish Creek Bridge project restores the creek to its original environment, resulting in a net benefit to the Abaco community.

He said: “Building Back Better (BBB) is a strategy aimed at reducing the risk to people, nations and communities in the wake of future disasters and shocks. For all marine infrastructure, it is important to design and build for storm surge, and to eliminate the potential uplift of the structure and the scour or washout of the foundations. Another important advantage of the project is it will restore the original environment. By re-opening the channel, there will clearly be a net environmental benefit to the area.”