Mahdia airstrip road upgrades to kickstart

DPI, Guyana, Monday, September 9, 2019

Roadworks designed to improve the connectivity within the Potaro-Siparuni Region are set to commence shortly as the prolonged rainy season has ended. This is according to Hinterland Engineer within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jeffrey Walcott.

Phase 1 of the rigid pavement works from the Mahdia township towards the airstrip will begin soon. This follows $827M that was invested in the township in 2018 that saw the upgrade of several internal roads; moving from a laterite surface to a concrete long-lasting rigid pavement road.

One of the new roads in Mahdia, Region 8.

Rehabilitation to Eagle Mountain road is also set to commence in September.

During a One-on-One interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Walcott explained that the unpredictability of the rainy season has resulted in an extension of the projected timeline for roadworks in Region 8.

As part of the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s work plan, road upgrades are usually slated to begin at specific intervals; around the dry season. With the shifting of weather patterns, some hinterland projects have taken longer than planned.

The procurement for the maintenance of Brian Sucre Junction to 3 Mile Junction, 3 Mile Junction to Micobe Check Point and 3 Mile Junction to El Paso (River Front) is underway.

With regard to the maintenance programme, which is in place for hinterland roads, Walcott said that while a stringent programme was not in place in past years, the ministry has placed routine maintenance as top priority. To achieve this, a joint approach with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is in effect.

Local contractors are executing these works which occur on an annual cycle during the dry season. Penalties are also in place, should the maintenance works not meet the required standard.

To further enhance access between the coast and the hinterland, $913M has been expended within the first half of this year, under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

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