CHINESE construction firm China Railway First Group Limited has been awarded the contract for widening of the East Coast Demerara highway,which project has been stalled for some time.

The firm which was previously linked to the Amaila Falls hydropower project was awarded the contract to complete the project between Better Hope and Belfield on the East Coast of Demerara.

Speaking on Thursday during the Budget Debate in Parliament, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson told the House that after considerable delays, the framework agreement with the People’s Republic of China for the US$45.5M concessional loan for the completion of the widening and improvement of the highway has been signed.

The agreement was signed on November 23 will complete the entire stretch of road from Better Hope to Belfield. According to Patterson, a sum of $1.4B has been set aside in the 2017 budget for the project which commenced in October 2011.

The project had stalled several years after its commencement and both firms which were tasked with carrying out works on the project have since wound up their operations here.
Falcon Engineering and Dipcon Construction were awarded the contracts to execute the project under a two-lot system.

However, substandard work among other defects had resulted in the project stalling.
Meanwhile, the East Coast of Demerara will also see additional features to the roadway as an arch is slated for erection at Cummings Lodge to mark the eastern entrance to the capital city of Georgetown.

Patterson said that the project will be funded by Ansa McAL Limited. The privately funded project is being linked with the arch which was unveiled at Agricola earlier in 2016. That project was funded by beverage giant Banks DIH Limited.

Patterson said that lighting for the arches will be complemented by solar LED lights and bus sheds which will be powered also by solar LED lights.

“Discussions are currently ongoing to supply free wi fi in the bus sheds,” he said.
In May, the Agricola Arch was unveiled by President David Granger to mark the southern boundary of the city of Georgetown in commemoration of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary.

“The Government welcomes this venture and will continue to partner with the private [sector] to execute projects which can benefit the people of our dear land of Guyana,” Patterson said.

Meanwhile, the construction of vehicle and pedestrian overpasses on the East Bank of Demerara is nearing fruition. Patterson said that on December 20, tenders in response to public advertisements placed in the print medium, will be opened.

Speaking on the East Bank of Demerara Four-Lane project, he said the initiative, which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and which commenced in the latter part of 2011, was completed in September this year at a total cost of US$17.171M.

According to Patterson, additional works such as drains and traffic signals were funded under another loan head.

He added that the entire expansion project which stretches for some 5.4km from Providence to Diamond is currently under the Defects Liability period, which will conclude in September 2017.