–following signing of contract for construction of new bridge across the Demerara River

RESIDENTS of Region Three are positioning themselves to capitalise on opportunities that will arise from the construction of a new bridge across the Demerara River.

Providing a glimpse of the enthusiasm and excitement among stakeholders within Region Three was the Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSi), which commended the government for moving forward with plans for the project and signing an agreement for the construction of this transformational piece of infrastructure.

The private sector body related that the construction of the US$260 million will enhance all aspects of development within the region.

The contract for this massive project was signed with Chinese joint venture partners which include China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Ltd., China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co. Ltd, and China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co. Ltd (China & Trinidad and Tobago).

According to the Head of R3Psi, Halim Khan, the new high-span Demerara River Bridge will benefit every citizen of Region Three and all businesses, since there will be no retraction issues.

He said that replacing the almost five decades-old floating structure with a new 2.65 km four-lane, high span bridge will fast forward housing development and commerce in Region Three with the crossing from La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD), to Nandy Park, East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

“This means businesses in Region Three will no longer be affected by the current traffic flow interruptions due to retractions. Further, as Guyana’s petroleum industry expands rapidly, a non-retracting bridge will enable oil and gas tankers and support vessels to traverse the waters without physical restrictions,” Khan told the Guyana Chronicle.

He noted that President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision of a greater Guyana is unfolding with every new infrastructure contract signed.

“One of the many benefits of the new bridge is that it would be able also to carry the fibre optic cable for GPL [Guyana Power and Light Inc.], and it would not have to be underground and suffer cuts and breakages from vessels, as the new structure serves as a critical component of transport infrastructure,” Khan emphasised.

The new bridge forms part of the government’s drive to expand and modernise Guyana’s transport infrastructure and is expected to be completed in two years from the date of the commencement order.

Floating at 1.25 miles, the current Demerara Harbour Bridge is a strategic link between the East and West Banks of Demerara, facilitating the daily movement of thousands of vehicles, people, and cargo.
The structure was built in the 1970s and was opened in July 1978 with the expectation of lasting only 10 years. However, over four decades later, the bridge is still floating and being kept “alive” through costly maintenance works.