Residents are calling on the Government of the Virgin Islands to urgently inspect and repair the underside of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, commonly known as the Beef Island Bridge, after reports that concrete from its underbelly is chipping off. Photo: Facebook

One resident expressed concern on Facebook and urged the Ministry of Communication and Works and the Public Works Department to act before the situation deteriorates further. Photo: Facebook

The concern comes as heavy rock trucks are expected to cross the bridge in large numbers. Residents fear that repeated heavy-vehicle traffic could worsen the damage and compromise the safety of the vital link between Tortola and Beef Island. Photo: Facebook

The concern comes as heavy rock trucks are expected to cross the bridge in large numbers when the airport runway extension project gets underway next year. Residents fear that repeated heavy-vehicle traffic could worsen the damage and compromise the safety of the vital link between Tortola and Beef Island.

“Please have the government address this before tons of rock trucks cross this bridge,” one concerned resident said on Facebook, urging the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Public Works Department to act before the situation deteriorates further.

A critical connection

The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge connects Beef Island, which is home to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, to Tortola. 

The current steel-and-reinforced-concrete structure was completed in the early 2000s and replaced an older single-lane bridge that had shown significant deterioration.

The bridge is designed to carry two lanes of traffic and accommodate large trucks and heavy goods vehicles, making it a key route for airport traffic, residents, tourists, freight, and construction materials.