2 structures to be relocated as construction commences on US$35M Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge

– contractor promises to deliver project by October 2025

Two residential structures that are in the path of the new $35 million McKenzie-Wismar bridge have to be relocated as construction commences, according to Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill during a visit to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Thursday.
“I was there on Tuesday to resolve some issues with the McKenzie-Wismar Bridge… we have to do some relocation of at least two families so that we can be able to get the bridge infrastructure moving,” Edghill explained.
This, he added will have to be done swiftly as the contractor, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) Limited is confident in completing the structure by October 2025.
“Even though this is a two-year project, on Tuesday afternoon I would have gotten the contractor to agree to deliver that bridge completed October 2025 so we will continue to engage all across Linden,” he added.

In August, works commenced on the facility which has a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres. The new four-lane bridge is being built at the same location as the current bridge to enhance connectivity and efficiency. When completed, the pertinent piece of infrastructure will play a crucial role in strengthening trade between Guyana and Brazil by positioning the region as a key player in international commerce and economic growth.
Edghill noted that several facilities and utility services will be relocated to facilitate a seamless construction process.
“The work at the Wismar has begun, the geotechnical, the campsite is in place, they have already started to do some relocation to allow for the work zone to be put in place. GRA and the other agencies that are in the vicinity, we had to engage them to get them out of the work area. There is a full team that is on and the Wismar bridge is moving. You see, a lot of times people believe work starts when they see a truck of concrete or four piles but long before that work is ongoing,” Edghill said.
Further, Edghill disclosed that traffic diversion measures will be implemented to separate construction zones from public roadways, including the creation of detour roads, temporary toll stations, and emergency access routes to safeguard both workers and commuters.
“With what is happening on the Linden-Lethem corridor, traffic is going to increase, bigger trucks, more vehicles day and night, so four lanes of the bridge at Mackenzie-Wismar is an absolute necessity,” he added.
This project, undertaken by CRCC Limited, involves constructing a 220-metre-long precast concrete bridge with vital safety features such as lighting.