Loan approved for East Bank–East Coast Road Linkage Project
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DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 23, 2018
The Government through a loan provided by the Government of India has entered into an agreement for the East Bank – East Coast Road Linkage Project (Diamond to Ogle)
The new road will reduce congestion by providing commuters with an alternative route, thereby improving safety and comfort. The new local distributor road will also allow commuters to navigate around the outer city limits, reducing traffic congestion in the Georgetown. This will also reduce the travel time between East Bank and Georgetown, thereby creating significant savings for commuters.
The new road will also integrate other local distributor roads on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) with the road network of Georgetown and East Coast Demerara (ECD) corridor while simultaneously improving the connectivity with the Ogle Airport. This is consistent with the Transportation Policy Proposal of the Greater Georgetown Development Plan (2001-2013) aiming to link the road networks on the East Coast Demerara (ECD), East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Georgetown.
The project has three (3) distinctive stages; Stage 1 – Detailed Project Report Preparation; Stage 2 – Construction Supervision and Stage 3 – Post Construction/ Defects Liability Period.
Stage One has been awarded to the consultant, RITES Limited (a Government of India Enterprise) for more than $277 Million (US$ 1,321,000M). The Final Detailed Project Report is expected to be submitted in April, 2019 with Stage Two beginning in July, 2019.
The Design will allow for a new alignment (approximately 15 km long) which will connect the East Coast of Demerara to the East Bank of Demerara at the identified limits. It will also allow for the integration with the existing road network through a number of Connector roads (total length of 9.62 km) at Aubrey Barker Road, Haags Bosch Road, Mocha Arcadia Road and Diamond Access Road. Based on the agreement, the terms of reference stipulate that the consultants have to submit an Inception Report, Feasibility Report, Draft Detailed Project Report, Final Detailed Project Report and Bid Documents.
Stage One commenced on April 13, 2018 and to date the Consultant submitted the Inception Report on May 15, and the Feasibility Report on September 21. Based on submissions thus far the approximate budget is almost $22Billion (US$ 104 Million)
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said the completion of the feasibility study is a major accomplishment for his ministry. “The feasibility report has been submitted. We have re-examined it, they’ve had some comments, but I think all in all it has satisfied our needs, so that will be launched and that is a major accomplishment, having the designs for that road completed.”
The proposed design for the main alignment comprises three sections. Between Rupert Craig and Railway Embankment will have four lanes with a cycle lane on each side and covered concrete drain which will be used as a sidewalk; between Railway Embankment and GuySuCo Compound a similar design but expanded and the cane field area which will have four lanes with a 40m reserve to separate direction of traffic. All other deliverables will be submitted in 2019.
For 2019, the Consultant will submit the Draft Detailed Project Report in February, 2019, Final Detailed Project Report in April, 2019 and the Bid Documents in May, 2019. Stage Two – Construction and Supervision will commence in July, 2019. The Government has also approved the Consultancy services for the continuation of this project; i.e. from Diamond to Soesdyke which will also commence in 2019.
Currently, the East Bank Highway is the only exit route available to residents who occupy Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and East Bank Demerara. Since these areas are below sea level and prone to flooding, it is important that an alternative route be created in the event of any major natural disaster.
By: Paul Mc Adam.