By The Star Staff
Rep. Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez thanked Culebra Mayor Edilberto “Junito” Romero Llovet on Wednesday for speeding up the process of construction of a new modular bridge that will connect about 200 people with the rest of the offshore island municipality when it goes into operation this weekend, when a high flow of visitors is expected due to the end-of-the-year celebrations.
“The mayor of Culebra has been instrumental in achieving the construction of this modular bridge in record time, and it is expected that it will open to traffic this Saturday, just in time for one of the periods of greatest flow of visitors to this island municipality due to the celebration of the new year next Monday,” said the New Progressive Party minority leader in the House of Representatives. “Culebra depends greatly on tourism and with this bridge visitors will be able to enjoy all the attractions of this beautiful island.”
The District 36 (Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Vieques and Culebra) lawmaker also recognized the work of Highways and Transportation Authority Executive Director Edwin González Montalvo, who helped expedite the work, which has a cost of about $1.5 million.
“This bridge was built quickly because the components were already in Puerto Rico, which, together with the declaration of emergency, made the process more agile, including permits, surveying and the setting of new foundations, among other steps,” Méndez Nuñez said. “This bridge is vital, as it connects the island with police headquarters, supermarkets, a gas station and restaurants that are visited by tourists, especially during the Christmas holidays. That is why it is important that the bridge be opened this weekend.”