Govt commissions $224M road at Matthew’s Ridge

A new $224 million road commissioned at Matthew’s Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini) on Sunday is expected to enhance transportation for the area, and mark steps to bring development to the hinterland region.
This concrete road spans 1150 metres in length and 16 feet in width and was executed by GV Construction.
The road’s commissioning aligns with President Ali’s commitment to enhancing the region’s road infrastructure, recognising the challenges residents encountered before the project’s completion.
According to the Housing Ministry, the completion of this project marks a major achievement within the Hinterland Road Programme. The Public Works Ministry will oversee the completion of another section of the road, with plans for further kilometres of road development in progress.
“President Ali remains dedicated to improving the region’s road infrastructure, acknowledging the hardships faced by residents prior to the project’s completion. With the commissioning of this road, residents no longer need to contend with muddy conditions, greatly improving their daily lives,” the Housing Ministry shared.
The Government’s intention was placed on investing in more permanent road infrastructure for the hinterland, particularly mining areas, in order to protect the safe movement of goods and services in the country’s most remote communities.
In 2023, the Government of Guyana allocated $136.1 billion in the national budget to upgrade or create new road and bridge networks across the country. This was a notable hike from the $67.9 billion spent in 2022 to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the country.
A breakdown shows allocations for projects such as widening the Corentyne Highway from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek; the East Bank road linkage from Ogle to Eccles; upgrading the East Bank road from Prospect to Timehri; a new four-lane highway from Schoonord to Crane; the Ituni to Tacama road; and rehabilitating the Linden-Soesdyke Highway among others.
For other linkages, works will progress for the Kurupukari Crossing Bridge and Wismar Bridge in Linden (Region 10).
Through the Housing and Water, Public Works and Local Government and Regional Development Ministries, more than 1100 internal access roads in communities across the country will also be upgraded to concrete and asphaltic concrete for the course of this year.
As part of transparency and accountability measures, the projects are being monitored with assistance from the respective Neighbourhood Democratic Councils.