New bridge in Bahamas is to be named after Sir Jack Hayward

The Grand Bahama highway bridge was a long awaited dream of Sir Jack. Once completed it will make travel easier by creating a second connection between the east side of the island of Grand Bahama and the west where the city of Freeport is.

Wolfgang Geiger, president of the All Bahamas Construction Company, said the Grand Bahama highway bridge will be renamed in Sir Jack Hayward's honour.

Signs inscribed with Sir Jack's name will be placed on both sides of the road. He also said it was sad that the 91-year-old had not lived to see the bridge completed.

"I feel really sorry for him, he was a good soul for Freeport and he did a lot for us here for the past and even for the future," said Mr Geiger. The bridge was due to open in April, but due to minor delays this will now be in June.

Work on the project began in May 2014 following a contract signing attended by Sir Jack.

At the time he said: "I have been pressing for this bridge for the past 10 years and since that time we have had so many false starts, but at least today we have finally got a contract signed and the bridge is going ahead at a cost of $4 million.

"The construction project is going to employ Bahamians, show that the Grand Bahama Development Company is living up to its name and help those living in settlements in East Grand Bahama get to Freeport quicker, safer and easier.

"It will also help save people time and fuel, as well as be of great benefit to faculty and students of the College of the Bahamas, who have to endure travelling a circuitous route from Sunrise Highway across Casuarina Bridge," he said.

Sir Jack had been linked with the Grand Bahamas since 1956.