Diamond to Buzz Bee 4-lane road project is top priority for 2024 – Min Edghill

– says construction will commence once bypass road is completed

The construction of the Grove main access road along the East Bank of Demerara will commence once the bypass road from Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam is completed.
This was announced by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during a recent televised programme where he noted that the current structure of the road has fully deteriorated since it was not initially constructed to facilitate heavy-duty traffic above eighty tonnes.
The last set of rehabilitation works on the roadway was done back in September after it collapsed for the third time for the year thus far.
Edghill related that the Government is committed to resolving this issue in 2024, through his Ministry’s Special Projects Unit.

While a specific time was not provided for the commencement of works, it was noted that the road will be closed temporarily to facilitate excavation works.
In this regard, a minimum of five feet of materials will be dug up and disposed of, and the stretch of road will be filled again with sand and loam to raise the level of pressure and then be paved.
“For us to deal with that, what we would have done is build a bypass road that you can come through Diamond then come out either at Jimbo bridge or we’re now going all the way to Buzz Bee Dam. Once we’re able to get that completed with the bridges across those canals at Grove to connect Diamond and so we can drive over then, we’ll be able to do the work there,” the Minister stated.
Further, he added that when completed, the road will ease traffic congestion on the East Bank but more importantly, will facilitate the heavy-duty vehicular traffic.
On another note, he reinforced the need for commercial traffic to stop traversing community roads, if infrastructure projects are to be sustained.
“These community roads are not built with the same specifications as highways and main access roads. There’s a different design and community roads are meant for cars, buses, canters – light loads.”
The Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam Road bypass road project involves the construction of concrete drains at Grove, the widening of Back Street, Diamond; Third Avenue, Diamond; and First Bridge, New Grove.
Other phases include the building and widening of bridges to link New Grove to Kaneville and Grove to Good Success.
These projects are funded by the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) US$100 million loan under the Support Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development programme.
Apart from this, the Government has awarded contracts totalling $11 billion for the continuation of the new East Bank Demerara four-lane highway from Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam in Craig. This will be eventually extended to Timehri.

Public Works’ 2023 work programme
Over 136 billion dollars was allocated in this year’s budget for ‘transformative’ roads and bridges, to enhance the transportation sector and ease traffic congestion.
This includes upgrades to Corentyne Highway from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek, East Bank Highway from Prospect to Timehri and the rehabilitation of the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
According to Minister Edghill, the Government’s mandate to modernise and transform Guyana’s infrastructure is on schedule, and an average of 700 contracts were recently awarded for the construction of roads in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10.
Through this provision some 2500 community roads were constructed along the East and West Bank of Demerara, and the East and West Coast of Demerara, in a matter of months.
Additionally, 62 concrete roads are being constructed in Linden, and the hinterland road network project has improved significantly.
Minister Edghill explained that the roads which are part of the Public Works Ministry 2023 work programme, are playing a pivotal role in advancing the health, agriculture, transport and logistic sectors.
Further, the built-out road networks are opening new ground for residential and commercial lands, and this is crucial for the Government’s housing drive.