Fixing Easington Bridge-St. Thomas | Geology Reality

Easington Bridge, St. Thomas: The Current Situation

When I visited the Easington bridge from Woodbourne, on October 17, 2026 I observed debris blocking the entrance to the bridge and a “road closed” sign. I also observed signs of river bank erosion, as well as sediment removal underside the base (foundation) of the bridge. What also caught my however, was the ‘fan-like’ appearance of apparent river stones from within the base (foundation) of the bridge.

It was clear to me at that point in time, that this bridge was experiencing significant wear and tear. Similarly, It was also apparent to me that this segment of the Yallahs river highly erosive, with heights during high flow most-likely reaching the full height of the abutment.

Sinkhole Observation-Easington Bridge

It was on November 8, 2026 while conducting my earthquake geology mapping of Heartease-Easington, that I observed a sinkhole mere meters before standing on the bridge deck.

Upon closer inspection, I was able to note the following through observation:

• The presence of rounded river stones which apparently function as part of the bridge foundation.
• The deposition of rounded stones from within the abutment of the bridge, with some having escaped outside. And the hollow cavity that remained (sinkhole).
• Exposed rusted vertical metal at the foundation level-apparently members of the Abutment inner concrete structure.
• Water pipe system: with water from the pipe escaping unto the rounded stones still intact within the bridge Abutment–potential contributor to internal weakening of the cement structures (think chemical weathering/erosion due to slightly acidic nature of water) binding the stones together. This more than likely is a weakening agent of the bridge from within.

When Was The Easington Bridge Constructed?

According to The National Library of Jamaica, The Easington Bridge was constructed in the period: 1890-1895. However, this date is not concrete.

As per an excerpt in The Jamaica Star (June 2020): “This bridge deh here from bout inna the 80s”.

 Based on this account, combined with my observations of the National Library of Jamaica Easington Bridge photo, and my photos of the now closed bridge, as well as 2 concrete towers; I’m of the view that this most recently closed Easington bridge, is the second one built.

Earthquake Geology & Hydrology Considerations of Easington-Bridge Repair Must Know

My geologic mapping of the area (within 3km radius) surrounding the bridge highlighted faults and folded strata on both sides. The general lithology underlying the bridge is comprised of Alluvium & Carbonates. My inspection of satellite and terrain imagery surrounding the bridge highlight:

• Lateral shifting on the pathway of the bridge.
• A relatively wide alluvial plain approximately 3-5x the width of the stream apparent baseflow.

When I created my terrain cross-section with a transect trend of west-north-west to east-south-east (Llandeway, through the bridge to a section of Heartease-Easington road), it became apparent that the Plantain Garden Fault segments are active. These faults have a dominant East/West Trend. Also present are faults (most likely attributed to the Yallahs Fault system) steeply dipping with a dominant North-West/South-East trend.

Combined, these fault systems or segments of their respective systems, are significant contributory factors of:

• Yallahs River route and erosive/deposition characteristics-particularly at the Easington Bridge site.
• Continuous lateral shifting of both sides of the river (Woodbourne-Easington section & Heartease-Easington section). This lateral shifting presents the increased bridge, seismic-engineering relevant challenge & need of collecting: seismic movement rates (per annum); and seismic loads data specific to non-earthquake and earthquake slip, among others.

Likewise, thorough hydrology and hydrogeology data of the Yallahs river specific to the location of the new Easington Bridge construction will have to be factored. As already mentioned, this Yallahs river through the evidence of alluvium observations (river bank height, sediment sorting…), coupled with the scouring of the bridge base, has a high erosive capacity.

But these are not the only factors that must be captured and interpreted. We now have Climate Change and increased population pressure, coupled with landscape change (more man-made infrastructure such as housing, roads and less trees) as other factors that can further strengthen the erosive force of this river on the bridge and nearby river banks within the short-medium term (lifetime of the new bridge). These will also have to be factored.

Earthquake Preparedness, Jamaica: Where Are We Now?