Construction of US$35M Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge to begin in August

The construction of the US$35 million four-lane Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge is expected to begin in August according to the Public Works Ministry on Monday.
The contract was awarded to China Railway Construction Corporation Limited and it was signed in the presence of President Dr Irfaan Ali in January.
This landmark project involves constructing a 220-metre-long precast concrete bridge with vital safety features such as lighting. It will have a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres.
This new bridge will be built at the same location as the current bridge to enhance connectivity and efficiency.
To ensure a smooth construction process, a temporary trestle bridge will be erected, while a precast beam yard, a rebar processing factory, and office and living camps will be established on the east bank.
The precast beam yard will expedite construction, allowing the substructure and superstructure to be built simultaneously.

According to the ministry, this could significantly reduce the overall project duration, alleviate traffic congestion sooner, and improve construction safety and quality control.
By situating the office and living camps on the east bank, the project will mitigate noise and dust pollution for west bank residents. It will also ensure uninterrupted progress on utility relocations and road connections.
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.
Relocations of identified facilities and utility services will also be coordinated to facilitate seamless construction progress.
During the signing of the contract earlier in the year, President Ali stated “This bridge is not a stand-alone infrastructure… This bridge is linked to the 45 bridges that we’re doing along the Linden-Lethem Highway that would create immense opportunities in positioning Region 10 as an engineering and mechanical hub, and a transport and logistics hub not only for mining for also for the trade that would exist between Brazil and Guyana, and Caricom (Caribbean Community).”
He added that the new bridge is also a significant link to Region 10, which is undergoing massive development due to the investments made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government over the past three years. He added it will play an even greater role as the economy of the region, especially Linden, as it continues to grow due to enhanced activities.
Meanwhile, the new bridge will land some distance away from the original single-lane bridge built by the Demerara Bauxite Company from 1965 to 1967.
Back in June 2023, Guyana signed a historic US$150 million loan with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to finance several transformational infrastructural projects in the country including the construction of the four-lane Wismar bridge.
The agreement included a US$50 million loan for the long-awaited four-lane Wismar Bridge.
At the signing last year, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad said this new bridge will have several benefits ranging from reducing traffic jams and enhancing road safety to economic opportunities. He pointed out that the bridge will also link to the existing road network on both sides of the Demerara River, ensuring easier access to nearby public facilities such as Mackenzie Hospital, and other Government facilities.
Several high-level officials including Ministers Deodat Indar and Susan Rodrigues, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan, Opposition Members of Parliament, and Regional Chairman Deron Adams were also at Friday’s contract signing ceremony in Linden.