Yorke Valley Bridge

Yorke Valley Bridge, also referred to locally as the Gleau Chaud Bridge, is located in Layou Valley. It originally served as a key crossing for residents and farmers transporting produce from the island’s fertile interior. The original bridge was destroyed in 2011 when the collapse of Lake Matthieu, also called Miracle Lake, triggered catastrophic flooding that swept away the structure. While exact records of its first construction date are not publicly documented, the bridge had long been a vital link in the region’s transport network.

Reconstruction and Enhancement

In October 2016, construction began on a new Yorke Valley Bridge, fully funded by the People’s Republic of China and built by the China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co. Ltd. The project featured three 18-meter spans, totaling 54 meters in length, with a 6.5-meter-wide roadway and one-meter sidewalks on each side for pedestrian use. The partially completed bridge endured Hurricane Maria in 2017 without structural damage, highlighting its resilience. Completed and handed over to the government in 2018, the new bridge provided upgraded safety and improved capacity for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Community Impact and Strategic Value

Today, the Yorke Valley Bridge is a critical connector for rural communities in the Layou Valley, facilitating the transport of agricultural goods, supporting local tourism ventures like river tubing, and enhancing everyday mobility. Its reconstruction also symbolized the strength of China–Dominica cooperation in infrastructure development, combining modern engineering with strategic investment to ensure long-term durability in the face of natural disasters.