PHYSICAL works on the new Soesdyke Junction roundabout are set to begin on September 9, with the Government issuing a final two-week relocation notice to vendors and other occupants within the project area.
The roundabout forms part of the broader reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and is expected to improve connectivity between the East Bank Demerara corridor, the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and the wider hinterland.
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, led a stakeholder engagement on Wednesday, bringing together residents, vendors, engineers and contractors to address preparations for the commencement of construction.
A major focus of the discussions was the removal of vendors and other encumbrances from the project alignment to facilitate the works.
Edghill said the final relocation notice follows approximately a year of consultations and meetings with affected stakeholders regarding the project’s timelines and requirements.
He assured vendors that measures are being taken to minimise the impact on their livelihoods. As part of the relocation arrangements, the contractor will construct a fully paved tarmac area to provide designated and safer space for businesses currently operating within the construction zone.
The initial phase of construction will focus on improving drainage along the highway alignment near the proposed roundabout. The works are expected to address longstanding drainage and flooding problems affecting residents in the Hill Foot area.
The relocation of public utilities will also be undertaken as the project progresses.
Following the preliminary works, a dedicated service road will be established to maintain the uninterrupted movement of traffic to and from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport during construction.
The completed roundabout will feature two continuous lanes to facilitate traffic movement between the airport route, the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and the East Bank corridor.
A dedicated service lane will also be incorporated to discourage unsafe lane changes and prevent motorists from abruptly cutting across the roundabout.
As part of the safety measures, the existing parallel road behind the Forestry Commission building, which currently runs alongside the single-lane highway, will be permanently closed. The closure is intended to eliminate blind spots and reduce the risk of collisions caused by converging traffic.
The project is expected to significantly improve traffic flow at the junction while enhancing road safety and facilitating more efficient movement of people and goods between the coast and the hinterland.
The Ministry of Public Works and the technical teams said traffic management measures will be closely monitored throughout the construction period, with efforts focused on minimising disruption to motorists and nearby communities while the upgraded junction is developed.
