Final touches being done on long-overdue Cemetery Road project

Another deadline has passed and the $475 million Cemetery Road Project remains incomplete.
Guyana Times visited the project site on Tuesday where contractors were doing what they described as final touches to the long-overdue road project.
While the major works were completed – like the paving of the lanes – other aspects of the project were still ongoing.
At the Princess Street and Cemetery Road intersection, major works were still ongoing on the bridge.

Guyana Times was made to understand that the curing of the road is still needed as construction workers were still in the process of pouring the concrete.
However, because of this ongoing work, drivers had to use only one side of the road when approaching Princes Street.
When this curing is completed the Princess Street and Cemetery Road intersection still needs to be swept and pavement markings need to be placed.
Close to the interception was also a pedestrian walking area connected to the road where final works were also being done.
Meanwhile, in another section of Cemetery Road, other pedestrian walkways were also under construction, with workers moving swiftly to complete them.
However, throughout the entire stretch of the road, pavement markings were not seen as yet and various drivers were seen partially driving in and out of there designated sections.

The Cemetery Road project was awarded to Avinash Construction and Metal Works Company in 2022 and was initially expected to be completed in July 2023.
Some two weeks ago, the Public Works Ministry had brought on subcontractors to help the main contractor execute the works in a timely fashion and it was hoped that the project would have already been completed.
It was reported that while the subcontractors completed their section of the works on time, the main contractor continued to fail to meet their timelines.
The government had said that the main contractor would be responsible for paying the subcontractors. The government had also disclosed that it was pursuing liquidated damages against the main contractor over the significantly delayed project.

The $475 million project will see the two-lane carriageway being extended into four lanes. When completed, it is expected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion.
Edghill said no further delay will be tolerated given that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration has already committed to the residents of the East and West Ruimveldt. (G2)