Better road networks are in store for the community of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, as the Housing Ministry finalises a plan to upgrade current infrastructure within the area.
Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal announced during an outreach to the community that all roads which require a facelift will be included under this project, spanning from concrete to asphaltic works.
“After the evaluation is complete, we will move it either to a level of concrete or it will be asphaltic, depending on the assessment. Some are already asphaltic so if you have to rehabilitate them, then we’ll have to do in asphalt. Those that have to do from scratch, we will do it in concrete,” Croal directed.
These improvements are geared at easier accessibility for residents and commuters, especially with the Ogle-Diamond bypass road project on stream for completion.
Minister Collin Croal addressing residents at the outreach programme
“That is our plan for here in terms of the road because this community will take on even importance of accessibility, because at the appropriate time, you will have the opening of this road network from Sixth and Seventh Street, Great Diamond all the way onto Eccles. Then before the year is complete, you will be able to move on from Eccles to Mandela.”
The first phase of the overall Ogle-Diamond bypass project is from Sixth Avenue Diamond to Eccles and is expected to be ready for vehicular traffic by April 2021. The second phase, which is from Eccles to Mandela Avenue road link, will tie in with the overall four-lane project currently being built. The date for completion is pegged at November 2021.
He further stated, “It will ease the flow of the buildup of traffic. From the East Bank Public Road, you can now have an alternative access. At a governmental level through the Ministry of Public works, you will have by the end of the year, it is intended to start the work from the other main bypass from Ogle-Eccles and obviously, from Eccles to here in Diamond.”
Works started on the new alternative road connecting Diamond and Eccles on the EBD corridor in order to ease the traffic congestion. The new alternative road will run from Sixth Avenue, Diamond, to the Windsor Estate Road that leads on to the Eccles Landfill Site Road. This will form a connection through the new Herstelling Housing Scheme and other schemes that are being developed along the EBD.
These projects are part of the India-funded Bypass Road Project which would link the East Bank Demerara corridor to the East Coast of Demerara, creating a new highway in the backlands.
While speaking on the water distribution, the Minister told residents that an assessment was conducted throughout the East Bank Demerara corridor, and another well will come on stream by August to supplement the water treatment plant.
“With that, we’re also drilling another well at Perseverance. With all of that, what you will see improvement in is the level of service on the East Bank. For those of you from Grove, you can also expect the quality of the water that you get will also improve,” Croal assured. (G12)
