A TRIP along the 73km thoroughfare that stretches from the Soesdyke-Linden junction to the Millie’s Hideout area is a treacherous, nauseating journey that no one should have to undertake.
This highway is important not only because it links two regions – Region Four and 10, but because it is one of the main arteries that plays a critical role in the economic development of several hinterland communities.

But for many years, traversing it has been a nightmare. The entire stretch of roadway is so bumpy that no amount of patchwork can remedy the situation or bring relief and comfort to the hundreds who use it every day.
During the rainy season, the section near the junction floods. At night, the situation is ever scarier as there are no street lights and given the darkness of the area, one can only see a few feet ahead.

Scores of people are now breathing sighs of relief as under the leadership of President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the road will be reconstructed, not rehabilitated, to the tune of US$161 million.
The long overdue works will be carried out through a joint venture before Namalco Construction Services Limited, out of Trinidad and Tobago and GuyAmerica Construction Inc. from Guyana and are expected to be completed within two years.

he reconstruction will be supervised by Kuwait firm AlHabshi Engineering Consultants to the tune of US$1.775 million and is the first project in Guyana to be funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
This project is in keeping with another commendably executed vision of the Ali-led administration. Under the former APNU+AFC government very little was done to rectify the poor state of this highway. Despite the patchwork here and the patchwork there, it deteriorated to such a state that there has an increase in accidents, some resulting in multiple causalities. For reasons unknown, the former government opted not to do more.

After taking office, the PPP/C reignited discussions surrounding the state of the highway which was constructed between 1966 and 1968 and officially opened in 1969.
The PPP/C’s plan of action was finalised in May last year when on the sidelines of the IsDB Group’s Annual Meetings in Saudi Arabia, Guyana’s Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh signed a US$200M framework agreement with the IsDB to finance the Soesdyke-Linden Highway reconstruction.
Then on Wednesday, at a location along the 55-year-old highway, the contract was signed and the sod was turned, paving the way for construction works to commence.

This news is even more refreshing given that it will be outfitted with modern features which will ensure the safety of all users. There will be two roundabouts, one at the Soesdyke-Linden junction and the other at the Millie’s Hideout area to help with the smooth transition of traffic going in every direction, over 2,900 streetlights will be installed along the entire highway, pedestrian bridges will be built along the 10 bridges that will be constructed, facilities for proper drainage will be included and there will be designated areas for parking and for drivers to rest.

The government of the day continues to prioritise the development of Guyana by not only laying the groundwork for economic growth through areas such as agriculture and tourism, but also by ensuring that its citizens have safe roadways and can live comfortable lives. The reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is a part of this carefully, articulated plan that is being implemented across the country, and given the government’s current trajectory, most if not all of it will be executed before its term ends.