$25.6 billion budgeted for roads and bridges
A section of the Eccles to Diamond Road
A section of the Eccles to Diamond Road

A TOTAL of $25.6 billion has been allocated towards improving roads and bridges infrastructure throughout the country. According to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, $23.7 billion will be spent on roads, while $1.9 billion will go specifically towards bridges. The monies will facilitate upgrades to a number of existing structures, as well as finance the commencement of several others.

“An amount of $3.5 billion has been allocated for the commencement of the Linden to Mabura Hill Road and tenders will be launched in the first quarter. Further, a sum of $150 million has been budgeted for sectional rehabilitation of the Linden – Soesdyke Highway,” the minister indicated.

He noted that in order to address the continuous traffic chaos on the East Bank Demerara Public Road, construction has already commenced on a road linkage between Diamond to Mocha, connecting to an existing road network from Herstelling to Eccles.

“In Budget 2021, the government has allocated the sum of $1 billion to continue and complete the construction of a four-lane highway from Eccles to Mandela Avenue which will significantly reduce travel time for tens of thousands of commuters traversing this corridor,” Dr. Singh said.

In his presentation of the $383.1 billion budget, the finance minister indicated that in the coming years, Guyana will witness a major transformation in its roads and bridges network, which will boast of spanking new corridors poised for development in a myriad of sectors.

Dr. Singh made specific references to projects such as the linking of the East Coast Demerara Highway to Timehri, which would connect the country’s two major airports – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Eugene F. Correia International Airport; as well as the establishment of the Schoonord to Parika four lane superhighway, connecting communities throughout the West Coast of Demerara.

The finance minister also spoke to developing the Parika to Goshen route, thereby establishing an important link for the trade and commercial centres of Parika with the central gateway town of Bartica. The government will also be developing the Timehri to Bartica link, connecting the West Bank of the Demerara River at Sand Hills, to Makouria on the Essequibo River crossing at Monkey Jump to Bartica.

SURVEY ALIGNMENT

“These routes will be established with a survey alignment to be completed in 2021, and clearing of the right of way will commence while we pursue financing for construction works,” Dr. Singh said.
Additionally, he noted that the government will be moving towards constructing a farm-to-market road from No. 58 Village, linking the Corentyne Coast highway to the Canje Creek, and opening vast acreage of arable agricultural land to benefit farmers across the region. Preliminary designs have already been completed, while survey and right of way alignment will be conducted, and works will commence in 2021.
In his extensive budget presentation, Singh said that the Demerara and Corentyne River crossing will also take centre stage in the government’s plan to revitalise the country’s physical landscape and open developmental opportunities in surrounding areas.

In relation to the new Demerara River Crossing, Singh said the government has received a total 20 companies, with nine firms being shortlisted to undertake the project. “… and the process now moves to the second round where more detailed designs, costing and financial terms will be assessed,” the minister said.
He added that the new design of the high-span bridge will allow for free flow of maritime traffic as it will not require opening or retraction and will be built with a life span of at least 50 years.

Additionally, as it relates to the Corentyne River Bridge Crossing, the Governments of Guyana and Suriname have invited expressions of interest for the construction of the bridge. “In preparation for this massive transformative project, we will commence preparatory works to upgrade the road from Moleson Creek to El Dorado with the ultimate goal to extend to Orealla/Siparuta,” Dr. Singh said.

He concluded that amounts totalling $9 billion have been allocated under the miscellaneous and other roads programme, while a further $2.1 billion has been allocated to upgrade hinterland roads.

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