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DBHC General Manager Mr. Rawlston Adams said the DBHC made that decision after completing a collaborative pre-feasibility study with the Public Works Ministry in July of this year.
In a press conference held at the DHBC boardroom Friday, Adams noted that three possible locations were examined for the new crossing — the existing location of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, a New Hope/Patentia location, and a Houston/Versailles location, and some feedback on the pre-feasibility study was forwarded to the consultant who is currently reviewing the work.
Adams said a report, hoped to be completed by the end of the month, would then be handed over to Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, who would then advise Cabinet on the way forward.
Benn had said that the Guyana Government and the DHB management had been looking at ways to keep the existing structure afloat for at least six more years. He said the Government could maintain the bridge for another six years, and that is the plan, even as millions of dollars are being spent to ensure that it remains usable.
Relative to the usual traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoons, Adams said that is a problem plaguing not only the bridge, but the entire East Bank of Demerara as well. He pointed out that traffic is growing at approximately eight percent per annum, and while the DBH has done what it could by facilitating the double-lane exercise, that is limited in terms of scope.
“As the traffic continues to increase, that becomes more and more inefficient, so there is little we can do now outside of what we have already done, and all the initiatives that we have taken to deal with the congestion,” he said.
He stressed that the number of vehicles on the road is continuously increasing, and as such, the traffic congestion is “only going to get worse”.
According to him, the solution to this problem is a new bridge.
Asked if the traffic lights at the intersection of the bridge are helping the situation, Adams said the impact of the lights has to be evaluated. However, the traffic lights do have some impact on safety, he said, noting that there have been no accidents at the intersection of the bridge since the installation of the lights.
Adams also related that the DBH is not making sufficient money to satisfy its operational costs, and that is why the bridge requires subventions from the Government.
Asked if the bridge tolls would possibly be increased in the near future, he said: “I would love to be able to increase it so that we can have enough monies, but that is outside of the control of the General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.” He noted as well that, while an increase in the number of vehicles which traverse the bridge does result in increased revenue, that revenue is still not sufficient to cover the cost of operating and maintaining the bridge.
