Highlight - The Glass Window; Nature's Beauty?

Photo of Bridge - June 2008 (By Mother Nature - Eleutheran Contributing Writer)

Eleuthera has no shortage of natural beauty. A person could spend their whole life and still never get tired of seeing, smelling, touching the vibrant nature right in front of us. Just in passing, to get from one town to the next, lush green hills crowd the landscape dashed with glimpses of crystal-blue ocean. It is no wonder that tourists come from all over the world, sometimes for a mere week, just to absorb a fraction of our island jewels.

When people talk about Eleuthera there are certain aspects that draw visitors from near and far. People will say, "Have ya eva tried one of dem Eleutran pineapples, she so sweet n juice is run." But it isn't until you have experienced an Eleutheran pineapple for yourself that you understand how delicious and delightful they really are.

Another well-famed aspect of Eleuthera is a site that will make you catch your breath. Here the raging deep-blue waters of the Atlantic and the tranquil, crystal blue-white colours of the Bahama Sound are separated by a few low-lying rocks. It is only by bridge that a passageway for cars is made possible, elevated from the crashing waves of the Atlantic.
Due to the fame of this landmark, tourists will drive from all areas of the island, including Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, to experience the beauty and take a few keepsake photos. Today I was cruising slowly down Queens Highway. I happened to have my camera and decided it was a good day to play tourist and get some shots of the gorgeous ocean views; a fun task to compliment my day of rest and relaxation.

It wasn't until I got out of the car that I began to realize what a daunting task I had ahead of myself. Unevenly laid water pipes stood at all angles, lining the outer edges of the bridge. These posts and the cable that connects them, now sagged in areas, act as a buffer to passing cars. Once a functional part of the bridge but now just heaped on the bridge as a mass of rubbish, are failed and mangled roadside buffers. Wire and cement infrastructure from a past bridge that collapsed, silhouette against the ocean. Half of the bridge is blocked with a cement 'jetty' that sticks out at a right angle. I thought to myself how ashamed I am that this is at the forefront of our Cultural Heritage for tourists to see.
At that point I was getting so frustrated attempting to take a picture when a voice popped into my head and suggested I try from below the bridge where the ghastly infrastructure and pollution would be over my head instead of directly across. Easily enough, I worked my way down the side of the wall and as I was able to view the bridge from the side elevation. What I saw brought me to a halt.

The bridge was cracked from top to bottom in two places, which explains why this particular side has been blocked from cars passing. Stepping foot underneath the bridge could potentially be life-threatening, as could driving over it. From subsequent research I have found there have been several cars in the past few years that have washed over, with people inside, but fortunately no fatalities. A person should not have to risk their lives to go to work, attend an event or visit their friends and relatives.

Just a few months ago, Meicheco Gierszewski, a local of Hatchet Bay going home from work, was crossing the bridge during a sea rage when her car was overturned by wave and wind turbulence, landing upside down on a rocky ledge beside the bridge. With the doors unable to open, the six month pregnant Ms. Gierszewski had to squeeze through the window, luckily with the help of her passenger friend. The unborn child had been exposed to potential bruising or other injuries and doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital recommended an early induced birth. They ex-rayed the fetus and discovered the lungs were too underdeveloped for a healthy birth. Approximately one month later the baby was born, two months ahead of schedule.
This event and others would also explain the failed bumper rubbish and uneven posts. With all appetite lost for keepsake material, and my day for rest and relaxation slightly marred, I decided it was time to leave. I needed to find a place to 'cool down'. Like I said, Eleuthera has no shortage of natural beauty and that is a great comfort. I drove from the bridge less than a minute to a nearby secluded beach and set up in a cozy area underneath a Casuarina tree. And there I sat, wondering what the next step was to making positive change.

Subsequent research analysis has revealed that renovations for repairing the bridge are "in the plans" at the Ministry of Public Works, although it does not reveal that this period's budget has made any allowance for these plans. Give the Minister of Public Works, the Honorable Earl Deveaux, a call, send him an email or fax, write him a letter.

If you have an opinion, make it known. Help inform the Minister of this detrimental situation and the necessity for positive action. You could very well be saving lives!