THE Thomas Street enhancement project is progressing on schedule, with a number of contractors and engineers working to transform the capital city of Georgetown.
Providing an update on the works on Tuesday, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand assured that the project will be completed on time. Manickchand said the project is advancing ahead with engineers and officers involved working to coordinate the various components of the development. The project, which stretches from Lamaha Street to Church Street, is the first to be implemented under President Dr Irfaan Ali’s Healthy Streets Initiative and is intended to create a greener, safer, and more functional public space.
“There is so many different moving parts here, and so many different contractors,” Manickchand said, adding that the team is working to ensure the project is delivered as intended and within schedule.
The minister’s update follows a site inspection last week by President Ali, who visited the location to assess the progress of the works and review several aspects of the design with the project team.
During the inspection, engineers outlined the practical and aesthetic considerations guiding the transformation, while the President provided input on elements of the completed space and examined how features being introduced could potentially inform the transformation of other avenues across Georgetown.
Recent reports on the project highlight that particular attention is being placed on ensuring that the roadway, avenue, and drainage infrastructure work together. President Ali also stressed the importance of getting the levels between the road, drains and avenue right, an aspect of the project that is critical to the seamless functioning and management of water along the avenue.
Manickchand said maintaining the project’s schedule remains a priority while ensuring that the character and objectives of the Healthy Streets Initiative are preserved. The Thomas Street design was developed by the King’s Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, with the concept placing emphasis on healthier, greener, safer and more functional public spaces. Following her engagement with the President, Manickchand walked the length of the project area with lead engineers Raul Boyer and Satrohan Nauth, Project Manager Gregory Sukull and other officials to assess the works and progress being made.
With the project involving several contractors and different components being undertaken simultaneously, Manickchand said the works have also provided practical experience for the engineers and officers responsible for overseeing the development. “We will be bringing this in. We will be bringing it in on time,” she said.
The minister’s update comes as the Government continues efforts to transform Georgetown’s public spaces through projects aimed at improving how residents interact with and move through the city. The Healthy Streets Initiative is intended to go beyond the physical improvement of individual avenues, with the Thomas Street project serving as an initial model for how greener and more people-oriented spaces can be incorporated into Georgetown’s urban landscape. The completed avenue is expected to bring together roadway, drainage, landscaping and public-space improvements while retaining existing environmental features.
