Govt asks for EOI to design, build new Demerara Harbour Bridge

The Government’s intention to make good on its promise to deliver a new harbour bridge has taken a step forward with an invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the design-build of the new structure across the Demerara River.

First run in today’s newspapers, the invitation starts the process to construct a new four-lane, high-span fixed bridge from La Grange to Nandy Park.

According to the advertisement, the new bridge will not require opening or retraction to allow for maritime traffic and it will have a life span of at least 50 years.

This means that the current interruptions of traffic flow due to retractions, will be a thing of the past and vessels will traverse the Demerara River with ease. With the advent of the expanding petroleum industry, a non-retracting bridge will enable the growth of the oil and gas sector as more vessels traverse the waters.

Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill previously said in the National Assembly that the “GOG [Government of Guyana] will consider options under various models including Design-Build, Build-Operate-Transfer, or any other model.”

Minister Edghill has criticised the previous administration for the manner in which the feasibility and EOIs for the bridge were approached.

EOIs for the new bridge are to be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) by 14:00hrs on December 4, 2020. The current bridge has been in operation since 1978.