Efforts to enhance transportation along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor are advancing as the Good Success to Timehri road improvement project reaches five per cent physical completion.
China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), who was awarded the US$75.8 million contract to construct the 24 kilometres (km) of road, spanning from Good Success to Timehri, is currently working on Section B and will commence other aspects of the project soon, including the relocation of utilities in Section B6, following official approval.
According to the Head of the Works Services Group (WSG) at the Public Works Ministry, Ron Rahaman, CRBC has already completed the structural load testing on bridges from Relief to Soesdyke to evaluate their capacity to handle vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
The EBD Road improvement project, which is aimed at supporting climate-resilient infrastructure development, marks the first of its kind to be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Guyana.
The project has been divided into three sections to ensure it remains on schedule with minimal disruption to commuters. Section A covers the stretch from Good Success, beginning at the Ganga Temple, to Supply, while Section B extends from Supply to the Soesdyke Junction. Section C continues from the Soesdyke Junction to the Timehri Junction, near the Timehri Police Station.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill engaged residents and business owners at the Grove Primary School on Monday.
The roadway will be upgraded to a two-lane highway, complete with enhanced safety features such as sidewalks and cycle lanes to cater to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Additionally, thermoplastic road markings, LED street lighting, and traffic signs will be installed to enhance safety and navigation along the carriageway.
Engagement
The Ministry of Public Works led by Juan Edghill has been monitoring the project closely and consulting with residents regularly so as to avoid major disruption to daily life.
The Minister accompanied by Head of the Special Projects Unit (SPU) Collin Gittens and other technical staff, held a meeting with residents and business owners at the Grove Primary School on Monday.
This particular engagement focused on the scope of works and plans for the rehabilitation of the road corridor from Diamond Bridge to Good Success on the EBD.
Residents and businesses were informed about the three-month rehabilitation project, which has already commenced.
According to the Ministry, the works, divided into five lots, will see five contractors working simultaneously on the main thoroughfare.
China Road and Bridge Corporation in collaboration with local company Sheladia Associates Inc during surveillance operations along the East Bank of Demerara corridor
To minimise disruptions, an alternative route has been designated for light vehicular traffic. The route utilises the concrete road running through the Grove community into the Diamond community and onto the Heroes Highway. Meanwhile, trucks and other heavy vehicles will continue using a single lane on the main road where rehabilitation works are underway.
Minister Edghill explained that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will also be present on-site daily to maintain smooth traffic flow during the project.
“While we may suffer inconvenience, I want you to start thinking about the overall benefit.” He stated.
Minister Edghill urged residents to cooperate during the project and called on the Diamond-Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to address parking concerns during the rehabilitation period.
