–as critical link connecting East Coast, East Bank and South Georgetown

THE $6 billion Aubrey Barker four-lane thoroughfare was commissioned on Monday and hailed as part of the government’s broader road transport masterplan designed to improve connectivity, reduce travel time and stimulate commerce, among other benefits.

The new roadway, which stretches approximately 4.4 kilometres, links Georgetown to the Ogle-Eccles Highway and was completed in phases following the beginning of construction in November 2022.

Delivering the feature address at the commissioning ceremony, President Dr Irfaan Ali said that the new road forms part of a national upgrade of the road transport system and is part of his government’s broader road transport masterplan.

This plan, he noted, is designed to improve connectivity, better integrate communities, reduce travel time, unlock new lands, stimulate commerce, and modernise the country’s transport infrastructure.

Dr Ali said, “Roads do more than carry vehicles, roads carry workers, roads carry goods, roads carry opportunity, roads carry growth, and where roads go, development follows right after.”

The Head of State emphasised that the government is not building roads just to show that development is taking place, but is doing so because it is what drives development.

President Ali told the gathering that the commissioning of the road marks the continuation of laying the foundation for the building out of the new Guyana.

He noted that for many years, the Aubrey Barker Road has served as a trusted artery to and from the communities of South Ruimveldt, Festival City, Lamaha Springs and Stevedore Housing Scheme.

However, it was noted that over time, cities grow, economies expand, and populations increase and as such, more persons use the roadways. Dr Ali indicated that as a nation moves forward, its roads must move forward.

“That is why today, this historic roadway has been transformed into a modern, four-lane thoroughfare built for the Guyana of today and prepared for the Guyana of tomorrow. This road now links South Georgetown more efficiently to the rest of the city. It connects communities directly to the Heroes Highway. It creates faster access to businesses and developments along that corridor. It strengthened movement towards the Eccles to Ogle four-lane highway and onward to the east coast,” the President added.

Dr Ali further emphasised that it is not random development, it is connected and deliberate, as he stressed that when roads improve, the economy improves, opportunities expand, and when roads connect, people prosper.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, while addressing the ceremony, stated, too, that this new expanded road stands as a crucial link providing better connectivity of various communities.

Using one example, he noted that students attending the University of Guyana can now come through the Aubrey Barker Road, on through Lamaha Springs and further into Sophia to Turkeyen.

“So, the people who are going to the University of Guyana don’t have to go all the way out and then come around, or go all the way to Sheriff Street and then come back. They could make their way through South now, B field and E field, which is under construction by the PPP/C,” he said.

President Ali went on to add that what used to be the back of South Georgetown is now becoming the front.

Minister Edghill added, “Where development is taking place, and where we are working with communities to inspire, expand infrastructure and modernise Guyana, save the pictures of what used to be, so you’ll be able to show your children of how Guyana has changed, and in such a short time under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government.”

Additionally, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, indicated that this critical link will also significantly reduce traffic pressure on nearby routes and cut travel time.

“Every day, between 4,000 and 5,000 vehicles traverse this corridor. Behind those numbers are real people, parents trying to get to work on time, children on their way to school, small business owners moving goods, families trying to get home safely and without delay,” he said.

With the official opening of the new road linkage, Ramraj added that this will give families back time that can be spent at home with loved ones instead of sitting in traffic.

“It will mean children arrive at school less stressed and more ready to learn. It will mean emergency services can respond more efficiently. It will mean businesses can operate with greater reliability and lower costs,” he noted.

The full length of the four-lane thoroughfare contains sidewalks approximately stretching some 5.4 kilometres, includes bicycle lanes, road and traffic markings and paved road shoulders. The project was divided into four lots, each of which was executed by different contractors.