Contractors are being sought by the Government to help replace an ageing bridge in the East End.

A request for proposals, published on the Government’s procurement website, invited bids from “suitably qualified and experienced contractors” to replace the Mabey bridge structure at Coney Island in St George’s.

It said: “The new bridge has been purchased and is currently being stored at the Government Quarry.

“The contractor is asked to transport the new bridge parts to site, demolish the existing bridge, carry out required civil works to suit the new structure and install the new modular bridge.”

In procurement documents, the new bridge was described as a 60ft Waagner Biro panel bridge built out of high-strength steel and designed for fast assembly and easy erection.

The documents said that the selected contractor would be responsible for the “complete disassembly” of the old bridge, with components carefully removed for inspection.

The documents showed that an engineer from the Ministry of Public Works will inspect the dismantled elements and provide direction regarding materials to be retained and those designated for disposal.

The contractor would then be required to carry out “minor alterations” on the roadway on both sides of the bridge to suit the new structure, demolishing concrete ramp ends and laying new ramps.

That successful bidder would then install the new bridge under the oversight of a government engineer, who will inspect the works and provide direction regarding compliance and approval.

The deadline for submissions will be 3pm on June 4, with the anticipated execution of an agreement expected by June 19.

The first bridge connecting Coney Island to the main island was erected before 1624 when passengers travelling to the main island were ferried between St George’s and Coney Island, long before the creation of the Causeway and the Swing Bridge.

The Bailey bridge in place at the site was erected in 2004 after the earlier wooden bridge was severely damaged by Hurricane Fabian the previous year.

The bridge was temporarily closed to vehicles in early 2020 for repairs