–Linden-Mabura extension, Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge and highway works among key projects

INVESTMENT in infrastructure continues to reshape Guyana’s landscape and that investment has reached new heights, with Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill sharing that a total of more than $100 billion has been invested in Region 10 over the last five years.
Speaking at the government’s recent Cabinet outreach led by President Irfaan Ali, Minister Edghill shared that the investment made over the five-year period has ensured that the region benefits more per capita.
Speaking to residents of the township of Linden and surrounding communities, Minister Edghill highlighted that investments in the region over the years are in excess of $100 billion. This is a development that the minister noted means that the region benefits more per capita.
“When I look, Mr President, at the overall development that we have done in the last five years, just in terms of infrastructure, we have exceeded $100 billion in Region 10,” he said, adding: “Linden and Region 10 is one of the regions that is benefitting more per capita based upon the number of persons that are living in this area.”
This development was also highlighted by the Head of State, who outlined an array of infrastructural, housing, social protection and economic initiatives for Linden and the wider Region 10, reinforcing that his government is fulfilling every commitment made in its manifesto.
Investment in the region will continue, said the minister, and he noted that several projects are taking shape while a number of others are soon to be commissioned and opened to the citizens of Region 10.
Among the most highly anticipated projects, is the Linden-Mabura Hill Road. He highlighted that with a large section of the road already completed, the government has signed a contract to continue the road beyond Mabura Hill.
As he explained, “We are 80 per cent complete with the Linden-Mabura Road and we have just signed a contract to continue another 30 kilometres beyond Mabura to keep going to Kurupukari to get it done,” he said.
The upgraded Linden-Mabura corridor is expected to strengthen transportation links to Guyana’s interior regions, while supporting economic activity and improving access to hinterland communities.
The project forms part of the government’s broader infrastructural programme aimed at improving connectivity between coastal and hinterland areas and opening up greater opportunities for communities and businesses in the interior.
The new four-lane Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge is another project that will continue to see robust development, said the minister. The new bridge in Linden is expected to be completed and fully operational by the end of September.
As the minister noted, “Some very major transformative things are happening; by the end of September, the new four-lane bridge will be ready.”
With the addition of the bridge, travellers heading into the hinterland will benefit from safer, greater accessibility on the new US$35M bridge.
The bridge is set to be similar to the opening of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, saying that bridge will be officially opened no later than October 5.
Moreover, the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is also an area that the minister says will see rapid development.
He said work will begin soon to complete another section of the highway, as well as the addition of lights along the highway.
“The Soesdyke-Linden Highway. We are now getting the section from Splashmin’s all the way down to the Soesdyke-East Bank Road down [to] the roundabout. This will start soon,” he added, noting “And more importantly, the infrastructure for lights on the highway.”
These projects form part of the continued investment in Region 10, with infrastructural development expected to improve connectivity, access and opportunities for residents across Linden and surrounding communities.