Motorists will gain full access across the Causeway in time for Cup Match, Government said yesterday.

Minister of Works and Engineering Dennis Lister said a temporary replacement crossing for Longbird Bridge will be up and running by August 2.

Up to 30 workmen have been employed on installing the steel structure over the past three weeks, working ten hour days.

With just over two weeks until Cup Match the pressure is on, but engineers remain confident. Works and Engineering Permanent Secretary Dr. Derrick Binns said yesterday: “We’re doing everything we can to get two-way traffic before Cup Match — that’s the objective.” Longbird Bridge and the Causeway form the only access road between St. George’s, LF Wade International Airport and the rest of the Island. With Cup Match in the East End this year, smooth traffic flow is critical.

The bridge was constructed by the US Army in 1953 but is now at the end of its life span due to age, problems with rust and storm damage. Work in 2001 on the main structure, electrical and mechanical equipment extended the life of the bridge for another six years, but this May, engineers concluded it would be unsafe to continue use. The bridge was restricted to one-lane traffic, resulting in long tailbacks — and fuming motorists.

Engineers are examining designs for a new bridge, to be completed in the next four years, but will use the temporary structure as a stopgap. The structure consists of two steel platforms on a bed of reinforced concrete, with rollers to absorb and expand in the heat.

Mr. Lister said: “Longbird Bridge has served Bermuda well over the years but an inspection on May 4 concluded that due to the age, deterioration and state of the bridge, we should close it to two-lane traffic and that all mechanical operations would cease, pending a further structural investigation.

“We’re really at the point where the work done in 2001 is as far as it can go, so the decision was made to provide an alternative crossing. A new crossing however, is far off — we’re looking at another four years, so we had to do something to accommodate traffic flow at this time.

“The location to the north of Longbird Bridge is now being restored to enable the use of two 150-ft replacement bridges. This site was used previously to divert traffic when rehabilitation work was completed for Longbird Bridge.

“The existing abutments are being upgraded to support the new bridges. They will also be raised to move the bridge away from the corrosive environment near sea level and to prevent further restrictions to vessels under the bridge. The approach roads on each side of the bridge will be realigned to facilitate access onto the temporary bridges. This will require adjustments to the roundabout, and approach ramps will be constructed to access the bridge.

“BCM McAlpine has prepared the abutments for the replacement bridges, which arrived in Bermuda on July 8. The Ministry of Works and Engineering has also been on site completing the required earthworks.”

He added that the two 150ft steel platforms would each be able to carry a weight of 40 tonnes. “Given the pace of works we fully expect that both bridges, providing two-lane access, will be restored before Cup Match. We are quite pleased with the progress which is taking place,” said Mr. Lister.

He added: “Once we have used the temporary bridge here we can dismantle it and store it, and use it elsewhere in the future. It has a future value.”

However, he could not say how much the structure and the eventual replacement for Longbird Bridge would cost. In 2003 then Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott estimated it could cost between $15-$30 million. Although Longbird Bridge has been closed to marine traffic, small boats will be unaffected by its permanent closure.