WITH construction expected to commence by the end of 2021, a spanking new Demerara Harbour Bridge is likely to be ready within two years. The Ministry of Public Works confirmed on Friday that nine companies have so far been pre-qualified to submit their bids to design, build, and finance the “fly over” structure.
The ministry said that an information session has already been held to apprise the prequalified bidders of the general requirements expected in the upcoming tender. The statement specified that bidders will be expected to submit their bids within three months of receiving the bid documents, after which, construction will commence. “Bidders were advised that they will be required to bid on two options: first, a design-build and finance option, and second, a design-build-operate and finance option,” the ministry said. Pre-qualification of bidders followed the government’s advertisement last September, inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) and Pre-Qualifications. Some 54 firms expressed interest in the project, with 44 entities moving to complete the registration process. A total of 21 companies subsequently submitted to become qualified.

“The government is pleased with the level of interest by globally competitive companies and wish[es] to thank all companies that sought to be pre-qualified,” the ministry said. It added, “Despite the limited number [of companies that were] pre-qualified, the government encourages all of the companies to continue to pursue the many opportunities in Guyana, as many of these companies are world-class.”
The pre-qualified entities, the ministry said, are China State Construction Eng. Corp (China); Ballast Needam Infra Suriname B.V.; China Geizhouba Group Co. Ltd (China); JV-China Railway International Group Co. Ltd; China Railway Major Bridge Eng. Group Co. Ltd; Reconnaisance & Design Inst. Co. Ltd (China); JV-China Road & Bridge Corp.; Peutes y Calzadas Infrastructuras SLU (China and Spain); JV-OECI S.A. and Odebrecht Engenharia E. Coonstrucao S. A. OEC; JV-China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Ltd; China Railway Construction (Caribbean a) Co. Ltd, and China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co. Ltd (China & Trinidad and Tobago); Boskalis Guyana Inc. Eiffage Genie Civil (Guyana & Netherlands); JV-Rizzani de Eccher S. p. A & Preconco Ltd (Italy and Barbados). Some of the companies have partnered to bid for the project.

While an estimated cost has not yet been announced, the bridge is likely to be a “four-lane, high-span fixed bridge; the new ‘fly-over’ structure is intended to stretch across the Demerara River from La Grange on the West Bank to Nandy Park on the East Bank.
According to the EoI, the new design of the Demerara Harbour Bridge will not require opening or retraction to allow for maritime traffic, as is the situation with the existing structure. The new bridge is likely to carry a lifespan of at least 50 years.
While the existing bridge is unable to adequately accommodate the daily and growing traffic, it is not necessarily a structure that is substandard. A few years ago, under the leadership of Mr. Robeson Benn, the then Ministry of Public Works had denounced the “myth” that the bridge had an expiration date. It was explained at the time that the bridge is one that can be constantly maintained, in that almost all of its components are “repairable”. It is unclear whether the government will utilise the structure at another location in the country.