By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

DRIVERS no longer need to rely on cash to pay the $2 toll at the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge, as the Bridge Authority has introduced debit and credit card payments at the booth.

Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting made the announcement yesterday in the House of Assembly during his contribution to the 2025/2026 budget debate. He said the Bridge Authority has upgraded its IT infrastructure, including the installation of digital payment devices.

The introduction of debit and credit card payment was launched at the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge last week, according to Mr Sweeting. 

He also addressed public concerns over the estimated $86.35m cost of Eleuthera’s Glass Window Bridge. He said the bridge structure is estimated at $25.4m, while additional costs, including roadworks, a visitor centre, and a temporary landing site for equipment, account for the remaining $60m.

He said the project followed an open international tender process to ensure fairness and accuracy.

He also said building the new bridge requires a temporary landing site, as it is not feasible to place heavy equipment on the existing structure.

The new Glass Window Bridge will span 2,218 feet and include fourteen 112-foot spans and eleven 50-foot spans. In addition, a 300-foot bridge with six 50-foot spans will be constructed to the north, positioned 15 to 20 feet above the existing structure and 60 feet away.

Mr Sweeting said preliminary cost estimates include $1.2m for insurance and harbour fees; $18.2m for staff, accommodation and shipping; $6.4m for the site compound, equipment, lighting, security, utilities, utility diversions and traffic management; $17.4m for temporary works such as a landing dock, haul road, piling mat, road pad and jacking barge; $4.4m for roadworks; $2m for the north approach bridge; and $3.5m for the visitor centre. He confirmed

the total estimated cost of the project, including VAT, is $86.35m.

“I reiterate that these costs are estimates by the engineers at the Ministry of Works. The same is being solidified and will be spelt out in a tender document which is forthcoming,” Mr Sweeting said.

For the new fiscal year, the government is prioritising long-term bridge reconstruction over temporary repairs. In Andros, bridges in Fresh Creek, Stafford Creek and Cargill Creek are scheduled

for reconstruction starting in November.

Through funding from the United Kingdom Export Finance, several bridges are set to receive major upgrades by September 2025.

These include the Ferry Bridge and both Barraterre bridges in Exuma.

In New Providence, the Silver Cay Bridge will be reconstructed.

Meanwhile, several docks in the Family Islands will be constructed or rebuilt.

Spanish Wells is expected to receive its first government dock in the third quarter of this year.

“This will be a first for the community of Spanish Wells, where they will have a suitable dock structure where they could cast a fish, tie theboat, and clean the fish,” he added.