COMMUTERS in Region Ten or travellers heading into the hinterland will benefit from safer, more accessible and toll-free travel when the new US$35M Wismar-Mackenzie bridge is officially opened.
Similar to the opening of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River bridge, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, said the bridge will be officially opened no later than October 5.

He stressed that the date has special meaning in Guyana.
“We [government] opened the new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River bridge on October 5th, and on or before October 5th, everything at the Wismar-Mackenzie bridge will be done. It’s a day that gives a lot of energy. It’s a date when democracy was returned to Guyana. So, in my head, October 5th is a very special day,” he emphasised.
The new bridge represents a major transformation for Linden, replacing the existing two-lane crossing with a modern four-lane structure designed to improve traffic flow and connectivity.
The current bridge has often been associated with stop-and-go traffic and bottlenecks, particularly during peak periods.
Once opened, the new crossing is expected to ease congestion and provide a more seamless movement of vehicles and goods across the Demerara River.
The supporting road network is also undergoing upgrades, including the construction of a geo-carriageway, medians, and traffic islands to improve road safety and traffic management.
Roundabouts are being constructed on both sides of the bridge to improve connections with the Linden-Mabura Road and the wider highway network.
The bridge will also deliver long-term economic, social and environmental benefits, while strengthening connectivity and supporting future development in the region. (DPI)