WORKS on the alternative by-pass road from Diamond, East Bank Demerara to Ogle, East Coast Demerara, will commence shortly as surveys and all required tests have been conducted.During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali explained that works in terms of having draft concepts and the alignment of the road are finished. This project is currently being designed, according to Minister Ali.
He explained that a feasibility study has been completed for this project and has since been submitted to the Indian Government for financing. As the ministry awaits the decision from India, it has been completing all surveys and designs for the project in the meantime.
Ali noted that “We are presently awaiting financing from the Indian Government to have it [the road] completed.” He explained that to have the road constructed up to the Mocha access road will cost some US$50M; and this will also include high-span bridges to cover some major navigational canals.
The Housing Minister said that “The ministry has conducted and completed the feasibility report on the new highway that will connect Ogle and the East Bank. We have completed the surveys, all geotechnical tests and soil tests that will inform the draft designed surveys how to continue.”
The ministry is working on and has completed a number of road networks leading to Diamond and is also constructing a number of primary connectors (roadways), which will establish a link between the existing East Bank Demerara road and the new alternative highway/by-pass that is to be constructed.
“We have connecting roads between the existing East Bank to the main High Dam with 11 inter-connecting roads between the East Bank and to the end of our development,” he explained. These roads, he noted, will assist in alleviating some of the traffic build- ups and since these communities are large, “we need to have proper road networks.”
Minister Ali outlined that there are five connecting, intersection roads that will lead all the way to Diamond, where four of these roads are at all-weather stages. “We are hoping that by mid next year two of these roads will be connecting in Diamond,” he said. He added that the ministry is making sure that there are many options in getting into Eccles and between communities.
In relation to the supply of water, the subject minister stressed that “We have also been expanding our water supply since the demand is great for these communities on the East Bank.” He elaborated that the extended Eccles scheme alone has more than a 1000 house lots.
The minister disclosed that there are two completed wells, one situated in Providence and the other in Eccles. These wells have been assisting the existing supply as he noted the expanse of the communities. He added that “One more well is needed to be able to better cover this area with water supply and we have secured the area; works will commence in 2015 on this third well. The investment for this well will be approximately $350M.”