– 1,800 metres of concrete roadways 75 per cent complete, with two access points planned

RESIDENTS of the Cummings Lodge Housing Scheme in Region Four are expected to benefit from improved access to major road networks as construction of 1,800 metres of reinforced concrete roadways linking the community to the Aubrey Barker Four-Lane Highway advances.
The project, which is 75 per cent complete, is intended to provide an alternative to the existing route through Red Road, ‘E’ Field, Sophia, making travel more convenient for residents, homeowners and construction workers in the expanding housing development.
During a recent inspection, Minister of Housing Collin Croal said the works followed concerns raised by residents during a community outreach in July, when they requested a direct connection to the Aubrey Barker Highway.
“As a result of a visit that I had here, the residents asked us to construct the road for them to be able to access through the Aubrey Barker end… I am pleased to see the work is ongoing,” Croal said.
He indicated that the eastern access road was expected to accommodate all types of vehicles within a week, while the western end was expected to be completed within two weeks.
The eastern access is already partially open to traffic, providing some residents with an additional route into the community while construction continues.
For families who have recently moved into the scheme or are building their homes, the new connection is expected to reduce the inconvenience associated with accessing workplaces, schools, businesses and other essential services. Its wider significance lies in linking the developing residential area to a network of major highways serving Georgetown, the East Coast and the East Bank of Demerara.
Through the Aubrey Barker Highway, motorists can connect to the Ogle-Eccles Highway, the Mandela-to-Eccles Highway and the Heroes Highway. These links also provide access to routes towards Region Three, including the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge.
First-time homeowner Chandra Singh welcomed the development, saying improved road access would make daily movement easier as more families settle into the area.
“This is a great addition for the residents who are now building and starting to live in the community,” Singh said.
“It’s going to make access so much easier for us living here. As a first-time homeowner, I really appreciate this initiative,” she added, expressing hope that similar improvements would accompany the development of other new housing communities.
Resident Tara Balram also welcomed the new thoroughfare, pointing to its convenience in travelling to work and reaching the Aubrey Barker Highway.
“With this newly constructed road, it is very convenient for me to reach to my work,” Balram said.
She added that she was pleased with the infrastructure works undertaken since she moved into the community.
The road project comes as Cummings Lodge continues to expand, with development taking place across its northern and southern sections.

The northern section comprises more than 450 completed, turnkey two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes, including flat and elevated designs. The area also has internal concrete roads, a police outpost and public open spaces.
In the southern section, where house lots have been allocated, infrastructure development is progressing. Electrical networks and pipelines have been installed as allottees begin constructing their homes.
As occupancy increases, reliable access will be important not only for residents but also for emergency services, public transportation and businesses serving the growing population. The availability of alternative entry points could also help reduce dependence on a single approach to the scheme, although the practical impact will become clearer once both connections are completed and in regular use.
Croal said the Ministry of Housing would continue to pursue infrastructure improvements in the area as more families establish themselves in the community.
The completion of the two access roads is expected to mark a further step in connecting Cummings Lodge’s growing residential population to the wider road network, addressing a practical concern raised by residents as the housing scheme develops.