ALMOST 40 international companies have expressed interest in designing and constructing the new Demerara River crossing.
Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, during an appearance on NCN’s televised programme, Insight, noted that this interest from around the world spans Holland, United States, France, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and China.

“People around the world, because of our approach to development, have shown interest. We anticipate that when we close those bids and there is an evaluation, we can have a contractor engaged and we hope to deliver this bridge 2023-end, 2024-mid because we want the people to get the new bridge,” Minister Edghill said.

Last month, the Guyana Government invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the prequalification process for the design-build of the new bridge across the Demerara River.

“…because we have gone out for Expressions of Interest and request of proposals, we have had 40, or thereabout, international companies expressing interest, registering, paying for their bid documents and many of them already signed their Non-Disclosure Agreements, which give them access to information to prepare their proposals,” Edghill said.

Government is looking to construct a four-lane, high-span fixed bridge from Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara, to La Grange, West Bank Demerara.
In its advertisement for EoIs, Government said the new design of the Demerara Harbour Bridge will not require opening or retraction to allow for maritime traffic and will be built with a life span of at least 50 years. All EoIs for the new bridge are to be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) by 14:000hrs on December 4, 2020.