Government engineers are keeping all options open as they wait for structural reports on the St George’s swing bridge to be completed.

Preliminary studies on the bridge have been done and the results are expected to be received by the Ministry of Public Works by the end of next week.

Craig Cannonier, the Minister of Public Works, said he had been alarmed by the level of rust on the traverse beams under the bridge.

He said fixing the bridge was a “Government priority” and vowed to ensure that a long-term solution for the bridge would be found as quickly as possible for East End residents.

“I was alarmed by the state of the bridge,” Mr Cannonier said. “The rust was falling from the beams into the water.

“Having said that, the bridge is absolutely safe for single traffic. It is the traverse beams that are rusting. We are taking this extremely seriously and will keep the people of St George’s updated as and when we have more information.”

Earlier this month a section of Kindley Field Park was set aside as a storage area for a Bailey bridge being constructed for the swing bridge across Ferry Reach.

The East End crossing has been reduced to a single lane since December due to serious corrosion, which has also meant vehicles heavier than ten tonnes are off limits.

Mr Cannonier said that the department had not ruled out the idea of a completely new bridge.

“The preliminary studies have been done by contractors and we are waiting for the report in about two weeks,” he said. “There will be another public meeting shortly afterwards.

“We want to move towards a long-term solution. I know it’s inconvenient as I am a resident of St George’s too and I apologise for that.

“We want to see it swing again and we need it up and running so that we can get the concrete in for the marina project and obviously the new hotel.

“What exactly it is going to take to make it work again I still don’t know, but we are keeping all options open.”