after fears it would be closed for months of maintenance.

Recreational and commercial mariners had sought a meeting with Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott after he'd said it would be closed until October. Mr. Scott persuaded Government insurers to allow boatmen to use a 25-foot channel under the bridge with a 25-foot safety buffer on either side where much needed repairs will continue. The Minister said although the compromise will add to the multi-million dollar costs, a decision to close it totally would have wiped out millions of dollars of business for commercial boaters.

"We felt duty bound to assist in any way we could, without compromising the safety of all concerned,'' said Mr. Scott. "The channel is only open during the day and I would ask it be used with the greatest of caution by boatmen.''