– T&HD
THE new ferry stelling at Good Hope, on Essequibo Coast, built under the Government’s Community Services Enhancement Programme (CSEP), is to become operational by the middle of May, Acting General Manager of Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Mr. Khevin Trim announced yesterday.
He said all modifications to the building have been completed and only furnishing remains to be done and he expects that to be accomplished in the shortest possible time.
The works on the pier entailed constructing and installing of a steel stage, similar to what was being used at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling, to allow for hassle free offloading from the section designed to facilitate side docking.
Assistance was also sought from the management of Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) to adjust the  buoyancy of  the floating pontoon, following a test run  with a laden lorry that weighed 18 tonnes, four tonnes below the maximum weight permitted, Trim said.
The $547M Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) funded project, which is  slated to reduce travelling from East Bank Essequibo to Essequibo Coast by at least 90 minutes, was specifically to afford mooring by new, roll-on roll-off  ferry vessels being built by the Chinese.
The Good Hope wharf, which extends 400 feet into Essequibo River, consists of a reinforced concrete frame supported on land by 50 timber piles.
It was constructed by BK International Inc for ferry boats which ply the Parika/Adventure route and transport produce and goods, as well.