Connectivity improved through massive road and bridge works
—2019 EOY outcome shows approximately $15B invested across regions
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 6, 2020
To maintain and expand Guyana’s transport network, approximately $15Billion was expended in 2019 on critical roads and bridges.
Spearheaded under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, some of the major successful projects that were completed include the Better Hope/Annandale four-lane highway on the East Coast of Demerara, the feasibility study for the East Coast/East Bank Road along with the Buxton-Belfield two-lane road upgrade.
An aerial view of the newly commissioned Barrack Retreat Corridor road in Lethem
The roundabout at the Barack Retreat Highway, Lethem.
For hinterland communities, the Ministry of Finance’s End of Year Outcome for 2019 noted approximately $2Billion was invested to enhance road networks.
The Public Infrastructure Ministry’s hinterland Road programme experienced major wins such as the completion of robust roads in Mahdia, Port Kaituma to Firzburg Housing Scheme and Barbina.
Transformative changes were also seen along the Bartica/Potaro Road Mile 33 to Mile 52 and the Wanaina bridge to Yarakita.
With the establishment of towns in Mabaruma and Lethem came significant upgrades to the townships’ internal roads. For Bartica, the Finance Ministry’s report added there has been progress with the execution of the internal roads and drainage programme.
Additionally, maintenance works on roads, dams and trails in all regions were carried out to the tune of $2.2Billion.
While works on the Sheriff-Mandela road expansion project had its hiccups due to the contractor’s unfulfilled obligations, the report said there was measured progress.
Another noteworthy project to make headway is the Linden-Lethem Road. Seeking to link the coast to the hinterland, the project’s feasibility study and designs have been finalised.
Studies and designs for the Linden-Soesdyke highway along with the studies for the reconstruction of the Wismar and Kurupakari bridges were also advanced in 2019.
Concerning the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Finance Ministry added the International Financial Corporation and the World Bank’s private sector continued their assessments to build the bridge through a Public-Private Partnership.