…construction expected to be completed by end of first quarter

CONSTRUCTION of the multi-million dollar Moruca Bridge in the North West District is moving apace, and key aspects of the foundation have already been addressed.

Toshao of Santa Rosa, Whanitta Phillips, told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that the project was on schedule. According to reports, the engineers on the ground have estimated that the contractor would complete the structure within the first quarter of this year.
Works on the bridge commenced mid-2018, after several small businesses which were erected at the site, over the years, were relocated by the village council.

The contractor has already laid the concrete foundation for the two–lane bridge and, during the past few days, steel beams have been bolted down on the structure which connects the village of San Jose with the more populated Kumaka. Cabinet awarded a $119M contract for the project to Ramzanalli Khan Construction.

The landmark structure which was constructed in the 1980s as a wooden pedestrian bridge, was upgraded later to facilitate vehicles.

Hinterland Engineer Jeffrey Walcott, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) last September, that a geotechnical investigation for the new bridge was undertaken and, the MPI later completed the final design. The issues of flooding and river traffic which usually affect the residents have been key considerations during the design process.

When completed, the concrete structure is expected to provide a safer space for vehicles and, more importantly, for children who traverse the area on their way to school.

Residents are already looking forward to the completion of the structure. “It would be nice if we could have a big opening for the bridge, and I hope our President can come for that,” a resident noted in excitement, as she spoke of the developmental outlook the bridge would add to the sub-region.