—US$161.3M project moves closer to completion; ministry pushes highway lighting rollout
The US$161.3 million rehabilitation and upgrade of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway has reached 62 per cent overall completion, with paving works now in their final stages along the 72-kilometre corridor.
According to a release from the Ministry of Public Works, core paving works have advanced to 90 per cent completion, while rehabilitation roadworks are 98 per cent complete, leaving just 1.05 kilometres of road surface to be laid. Reconstruction works stand at 93 per cent completion, with only 1.9 kilometres remaining.
In an update on the project, the ministry said paving is currently the most advanced phase of the physical works and is bringing safer and smoother travel a step closer for commuters.
“Core paving works are entering their final stages and stand at 90 per cent completion, bringing smoother, safer journeys a major step closer for commuters,” the ministry stated.
The project also includes major drainage improvements, with the installation of curb and slipper drains reaching 87 per cent completion. Drainage and water management works overall are now 52 per cent complete.
Meanwhile, construction of two new roundabouts designed to improve traffic flow and safety has reached the halfway mark. The roundabout at the Millie’s Hideout intersection in Linden has already been completed, while adjustments are being made to the design of the roundabout at Soesdyke Junction to ensure a safer connection with the Timehri road network.
The ministry also announced the start of highway lighting installation, a move aimed at addressing long-standing concerns about night-time visibility along the corridor.
“Recognising that night-time visibility is a critical concern for drivers along the unlit corridor, the Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, has directly engaged the project’s contractors to aggressively push forward the illumination timeline,” the ministry said.
It added that Edghill emphasised that the safety of the travelling public remains the ministry’s “absolute priority” and noted that lighting completed sections of the roadway would significantly reduce risks for night-time commuters.
According to the update, 700 lampposts, representing 51.4 per cent of the required inventory, are already on site, while the remaining units are currently being manufactured.
The ministry also urged motorists to exercise caution as the highway remains an active construction zone.
