“The designs are finished!” – Consultations, works to begin on East Bank/East Coast road link
─ “Cabinet has granted me approval to come and start works and the consultation” – Min. Patterson
─ Highway between Craig to Diamond to be widened
─ the four-lane highway project is being pursued to reduce traffic congestion on the East Bank to the East Coast of Demerara and Berbice
DPI, Guyana, Friday, July 12, 2019
The Coalition Government has moved one step closer to making the East Bank/East Coast road link a reality. Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Honourable David Patterson made this announcement at a community engagement in Somatta Point, Grove on Thursday.
“The designs are finished! Cabinet has granted me approval to come and start works and the consultation,” the Honourable Public Infrastructure Minister declared.
It was also announced that staff within the Public Infrastructure Ministry have begun the working on the final artistic rendering.
Commenting on the cost of the project during his Budget 2019 presentation, Minister of Finance, the Honourable Winston Jordan had said:
“This by-pass, which was estimated at $10.5Billion [US$50M] a few years ago for which funding was secured, is now projected to cost $25.1Billion [US$120M]. We will be approaching our bilateral partner to secure the additional funding to make this road a reality.”
At present, according to Minister Patterson, approximately $2Billion has been approved by the Cabinet, thus far, towards the project.
This four-lane highway project is being pursued to reduce traffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara, to the East Coast of Demerara and Berbice. The road link seeks to, therefore, provide an alternative route for commuters.
Minister Patterson also announced that plans are in the pipeline to enhance traffic flow between Craig and Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. The transformation will see the carriageway between those communities being widened.
Accompanying this road widening project will be the relative signs to boost road safety in the busy area. Minister Patterson noted that this upcoming project is His Excellency President David Granger’s brainchild since he frequently traverses the area and understands the narrow road to be a topical issue.
Images: Ameer Sataur