Peter’s Hall elevators officially open to the public

─ 5 operators hired

─ Agricola and 5 other sites to get overpass

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, August 17, 2019

Residents traversing the heavily trafficked intersection at Peter’s Hall, East Bank of Demerara are now better off with the elevators at the overpass being put into operation. On Friday, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson along with a team of officials commissioned the two elevators.

Servicing primarily the elderly, persons living with disabilities and pregnant mothers, the Peter’s Hall overpass is now fully operational for all citizens. Indicating that other lifts that will be functioning soon, Minister Patterson stated:

One of them that I know will be opened and up and running; that will be in Houston, in time for the new school term.”

The Coalition Government also plans to build other overpasses in the busy corners of the country.

“We are working on one in the middle of Agricola. Right in front of the school… The preliminary designs are already out. That is the number one priority in my 2020 budget,” Minister Patterson noted.

Agricola’s overpass will be one of five more to be built. According to the Public Infrastructure Minister, “we will be installing overpasses on the East Coast. I know four areas are already identified.”

In words of encouragement for persons to choose the safer option of using the overpasses, Minister Patterson said:

“Use it! It saves lives!

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Hon. Jaipaul Sharma noted the increased safety the overpasses provide, and the employment opportunities as well.

“We are giving back to the community. The workers here [at Peter’s Hall] are from the community and from each area that we have an overpass, the young people from the community will be given an opportunity to work at the facilities,” Minister Sharma explained.

So far, five persons have been hired to operate the elevator at Peter’s Hall overpass.

“It is secure, safe, and comfortable,” Minister Sharma added.

During the installation of the elevators at Providence, Public Infrastructure Engineer Mark Green spoke about the features of the elevators. “[They] have a screw drive system which is simplified and more robust system, so there is no cable like with the normal elevators. They are also built for the outdoor environment; they have a canopy to shade them, are open with glazed glass and have LED lighting,” Green highlighted.

An emergency response system is also in place should there be a power outage.

The cost for supply and installation of each elevator is approximately $13M. Each elevator has a maximum capacity of 400kg or can accommodate about five people.

Staff from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation participated in the small commissioning ceremony.

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