HEAD of the Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc), Halim Khan, has called on the government to give citizens a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk across the new Demerara River Bridge (DHB) before it is officially opened to vehicular traffic.

Khan proposed that the bridge be temporarily opened for foot traffic, allowing people to take photographs, host cultural activities, and even create lasting memories such as weddings on the landmark structure.

“This would allow citizens to experience the bridge firsthand and celebrate its significance in a personal way,” Khan said.

He further suggested that it would be historic to see President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his team join citizens in walking across the bridge for the first time, while inviting people from all regions of Guyana to take part in the milestone event.

Khan pointed out that this practice is common internationally, where new bridges are opened for community walks, charity marathons, or symbolic ceremonies before vehicles are permitted to cross.

Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and China have all adopted this approach, giving people a sense of ownership and pride in landmark projects.

He stressed that offering Guyanese a similar opportunity would make the inauguration of the bridge not just a historic achievement in infrastructure, but also a shared national experience that unites communities across the country.

The highly anticipated Demerara River Bridge entered its final phase of load testing on Thursday, with a series of rigorous assessments carried out on the state-of-the-art cable-stay structure, signalling that the project is now nearing completion.

The US$260 million bridge, built by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, stretches 2.6 kilometres and links Nandy Park on the East Bank Demerara to the West Bank Demerara.

The toll-free, four-lane structure is designed to operate continuously, accommodate vehicles of all sizes, and facilitate travel at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour. With a lifespan of 100 years, the DHB is expected to serve over 50,000 commuters daily and generate annual savings of approximately $3.5 billion.

As anticipation builds ahead of its official opening, President Ali has reiterated confidence that the bridge will be commissioned soon.

Once in operation, the Demerara River Bridge is expected to transform Guyana’s transportation landscape, boosting connectivity, trade, and quality of life. Yet Khan maintains that before vehicles take ownership of the lanes, the bridge should first belong to the people, even if just for a day.