Final slab of cement on new US$262M Demerara River Bridge to be poured on Thursday

The completion of the new US$262 million Demerara River Bridge is nearing reality, with President Dr Irfaan Ali announcing that the final slab of cement will be poured at midnight on Thursday. Speaking at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) public meeting in Eccles on Tuesday night, President Ali said the final pour will mark the delivery of one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects to the Guyanese people. “On Thursday night, by the grace of God, at midnight, I will be on top of the new Demerara River Bridge. We will be making the final pour for the bridge … the final leg, and your bridge is delivered to you, to us,” President Ali declared to loud applause.

The Head of State tied the bridge’s construction to the broader vision of national development and investor confidence, stressing that Guyana’s rapid pace of growth is rooted in sound economic management, strong partnerships, and political stability. “Why are people building these massive new structures across our country? Because they trust our policies, they trust the Government, they trust our economy, and they trust our leadership. Will you build a house on a sinking ship? No. You only build when you know the foundation is secure,” he asserted.
Ali pointed out that the country is not only advancing in infrastructure but is also gaining strong global support on critical issues.
“This is a race for ideas, policies, programmes. This is a race about your future, about your children’s future, about your parents, about your community, about your country. It’s a race about national security. We will commence the building process of the economy of the future. And what is the economy of the future? The economy of the future is the knowledge economy. That is why we are investing so much in human protection,” Ali said.

Transformational project
The new Demerara River Bridge, set to replace the ageing floating Demerara Harbour Bridge, is a 2.65-kilometre (km), four-lane, high-span, cable-stayed structure with a 23.6-metre-wide driving surface and a dedicated bicycle lane. Its 50-metre fixed-high span will allow the free passage of vessels, eliminating the frequent closures that currently disrupt traffic flow.
The bridge will connect Regions Three and Four, significantly easing congestion and reducing travel time along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). With a speed limit of 80 km/h and capacity for vehicles of all sizes, it is expected to become a key driver of economic activity. President Ali has already assured that the crossing will be toll-free, in keeping with the Government’s removal of tolls on all major bridges across the country. He further pledged that no worker will be left behind as toll operations are phased out, with staff being retrained and redeployed into new technical and managerial roles.
“This bridge is more than just concrete and steel,” Ali told supporters. “It is about building the economy of the future – a knowledge economy, where our people are the strongest, brightest, and most capable, delivering services from Guyana to the world.”