– knowing that work on the highway is about to begin

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has invited bids for a feasibility study and design to be done for the rehabilitation of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Since the notice was published, Lindeners, especially those who drive, are optimistic that something positive is about to happen at last, given that the rehabilitation of the 49-year-old highway has been on the radar for a while now; as far back as 2016. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson told the Guyana Chronicle that the invitation for bids is the first step in the execution of major rehabilitation works, and that the Ministry of Finance was able to secure funding for this project through the World Bank.
**The feasibility study is expected to last one year, after which major repairs will commence.

Last month, during a meeting of the Regional Democractic Council (RDC) in Linden, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes revealed that the government has big plans for the highway in terms of a complete overhaul. Such a development, she said, was intended to make drivers and passengers safer and more at ease, not only when travelling during the day, but at nights as well.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has been consistently doing minor repairs along the 45-mile stretch of roadway whenever the need arises, especially at eroded areas, and has even placed reflector lights and road signage along dangerous curves and turns, but unfortunately, some of these, have been stolen. The world-renowned Soesdyke-Linden Highway connects Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice). After its construction in 1969, it saw major repairs being done to it around 1997-1999.

Many drivers have described the current state of the highway as deplorable, given its many structural faults, undulations and proneness to erosion in parts. The shift in its foundation has resulted in several bumps and holes along the way, and only someone familiar with these faults can navigate it without incident. Many of the accidents that have occurred there were caused by some of these very structural faults. Back in 2016, one of the indentations at reference was the cause of three major accidents on the same spot in the vicinity of Bamia, but thankfully, it was remedied before further harm could be done.

Commuters have long been asking for the highway to be lit, for sufficient signage to be placed at strategic points, and for overhanging vegetation to be regularly trimmed.