THE feasibility study for the East Bank –East Coast bypass road from Diamond to Ogle, has been submitted to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure by the Consultant- RITES Limited – a Government of India enterprise.

The project is estimated to cost US$104,000,000. The Guyana Government through a loan provided by the Government of India, has entered into an agreement for the East Bank – East Coast Road Linkage Project. In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure disclosed that the feasibility study was submitted on September 21, 2018, in addition to an Inception Report, which was submitted at mid-year.

The Inception Report and Feasibility Study form part of Stage 1 of the three-pronged project, which will see a road connecting Diamond Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara to Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara. “The proposed design for the main alignment comprises three sections. Between the Rupert Craig Highway and the Railway Embankment will have four lanes with a cycle lane on each side and covered concrete drain which will be used as a sidewalk; between the Railway Embankment and the GuySuCo compound will have a similar but expanded design, along with the cane field area which will have four lanes with a 40m reserve to separate the direction of traffic. All other deliverables will be submitted in 2019,” the Public Infrastructure Ministry said.

It will also allow for integration with the existing road network via a number of connector roads, measuring a total length of 9.62 km, at the following roadways: at Aubrey Barker,

Haags Bosch, Mocha-Arcadia Road and at Diamond Access.
According to the ministry, the consultant is expected to submit the Draft Detailed Project Report in February, 2019, the Final Detailed Project Report in April, 2019 and the Bid documents in May, 2019. RITES was awarded the contract for consultancy services at the cost of US$ 1,321,000.

Stage 2 is expected to commence in July, 2019 with the construction and supervision of the road project. “The Government of Guyana has also approved the Consultancy services for the continuation of this project; i.e. from Diamond to Soesdyke, which will also commence in 2019,” the ministry noted. The final stage is the Post Construction/ Defects Liability Period.

Based on the agreement, the terms of reference (ToR) stipulate that the consultants have to submit an Inception Report, Feasibility Report, Draft Detailed Project Report, Final Detailed Project Report and Bid Documents.

The ministry noted that the project when it materialises will significantly reduce the heavy vehicular traffic along the EBD and ECD corridors.

“The new road will serve to reduce the congestion by providing commuters with an alternative route, thereby improving the safety and comfort of commuters. Additionally, the new local distributor road will also allow commuters to navigate around the outer limits.
“The option around the city would reduce traffic congestion in the Capital City. In summary, the travel time between East Bank and Georgetown will be reduced, thereby creating significant savings for commuters. By taking off some traffic from the East Bank Highway and Georgetown, it would also reduce the deterioration and erosion of these roadways,” the ministry explained.

It noted too, that the new road will also integrate other local distributor roads on the EBD with the road network of Georgetown and the ECD corridor, while simultaneously improving connectivity with the Ogle Airport.

“This is consistent with the Transportation Policy Proposal of the Greater Georgetown Development Plan (2001-2013), aiming to link the road networks on the East Coast Demerara (ECD), East Bank Demerara (EBD) and the capital city,” it stated.

Currently, the East Bank Highway is the only exit route available to residents who occupy Georgetown, the East Coast of Demerara and the East Bank of Demerara.