CHIEF Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Dr. Martin Pertab, on Wednesday, conducted site visits to inspect the proposed alignments for two transformative infrastructural projects — the Leonora to Canal Number 1 Highway and the Schoonord to Wales Highway.

Dr. Pertab was accompanied by Deputy Director of Projects, Mr. Intecab Indarjeet; Senior Surveyor, Mr. Shabeer Ali; and other CH&PA technical officers. The visit formed part of the agency’s ongoing assessment and planning process aimed at finalising the most efficient alignments for these key road networks, which are expected to significantly enhance connectivity and stimulate housing and commercial development along the West Coast and West Bank of Demerara.

Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Pertab underscored the importance of these projects to Guyana’s broader development agenda. He noted that the new Leonora–Canal Number 1 link will drastically improve accessibility to several existing and planned housing schemes, while cutting current travel time from approximately 45 minutes to just seven.

“If you were to travel from Leonora to Canal Number 1 right now, it takes roughly 45 minutes. With this new road, we’re proposing to reduce travel time to approximately seven minutes,” Dr. Pertab stated.

The CEO added that the project is presently in its design phase. Once designs are finalised and approved, the CH&PA will advance to the tendering stage to facilitate the commencement of construction.

“Hopefully, by the end of this year, we’ll be able to start work on this new road,” he affirmed.

The CH&PA team also assessed the proposed route for the Schoonord to Wales Highway, another major initiative geared toward boosting accessibility and opening new corridors for development. Dr. Pertab highlighted that this project is not only intended to ease travel but also to unlock vast developmental potential for surrounding communities.

“It’s important that we focus on development. This alignment will enhance access to existing communities in the area and support the expansion of new housing zones,” he explained.

He further revealed that the second phase of this initiative will extend from Wales to Sand Hill, creating additional opportunities for housing expansion in keeping with the Government’s goal of constructing 40,000 homes nationwide.

Both projects, Dr. Pertab emphasised, form part of CH&PA’s broader mandate to improve national infrastructure, increase housing accessibility, and promote sustainable community development.

When completed, the Leonora–Canal Number 1 and Schoonord–Wales highways are expected to transform mobility and drive long-term economic growth along the western corridor of Demerara — further advancing the Government’s vision of a modern, connected, and inclusive Guyana.