A US$ 161 million contract was, on Wednesday, signed for the reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway set to bring major upgrades to the thoroughfare

The reconstruction which will upgrade a 73 kilometre stretch of road from Soesdyke to Linden is expected to be carried out by a joint venture between Namalco Construction Services Limited out of Trinidad and Tobago and GuyAmerica Construction Inc. from Guyana.

The construction is also being supervised by a firm out of Kuwait and that supervisory contract was also inked to the tune of US$1.775 million.

During the signing ceremony earlier, it was noted that this is the first project in Guyana to be funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

President Dr Irfaan Ali during the ceremony, said that this reconstruction is is integral not only for the connectivity but is also important as it is one of the main arteries that support the development of hinterland communities.

The Head of State went on to add that the highway is linked to other key and critical infrastructure that will expand the productive capacity of Guyana.

He indicated that the project will further expand the land availability along the highway and open new areas for a multifaceted investment portfolio.
According to Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, as part of the 73km stretch which will be rehabilitated will see some sections will be rehabilitated while others will be a full reconstruction.

Further, he said it will comprise of some 10 bridges along with five other structures set to be constructed along the Soesdyke to Linden alignment.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill indicated that the construction will feature two roundabouts, with the first being at Soesdyke-Linden Junction and the other to allow for smooth transition into Linden.

He added that the alignment will feature several rest stops, and close to 3,000 streetlights to improve the safety of the thoroughfare.
Edghill told the gathering that the project also entails for the improvement of drainage along the entire highway and will see the entire highway being dug up eventually to lay new bases and add a new surface to cater for the new level of tonnage passing through the highway.

In May 2023, the government signed a new agreement with the IsDB for a new loan for the reconstruction.
The US$200 million framework agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2023 IsDB Group’s Annual Meetings in Saudi Arabia.