Govt eyes 4-lane expansion from Soesdyke to Timehri

…over 200 encumbrances identified for removal – Minister

The Government is exploring the expansion of Section C of the East Bank Demerara (EBD) Road Improvement Project to four lanes, with the state prepared to fund two additional lanes beyond the current contract scope funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The announcement came during a major stakeholder consultation hosted recently by the Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with Sheladia Associates Incorporated and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

Section C of the project spans from the Soesdyke Junction to the Timehri Junction. The consultation was convened to engage local residents, business owners, and other stakeholders on the project’s design, environmental considerations, traffic management plans, and grievance redress mechanisms.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who addressed the meeting, emphasised the Government’s intent to modernise infrastructure while maintaining transparency and community engagement.
“The Chinese contractors and the consultants, based upon the current design, will proceed in keeping with that. When the Government of Guyana, and I hope we can make that decision sooner rather than later, because the IDB is funding two lanes of break for the Chinese contractors. If we are going for four lanes, the Government of Guyana will have to fund the two additional lanes. But there are things that have to be done even without the Government of Guyana intervening to make it four lanes. We have to relocate utilities—GWI (Guyana Water Incorporated), GPL (Guyana Power and Light), and the other utility providers,” Edghill explained.
To achieve this, however, the Government will need to clear 248 encumbrances, including fences, vending stalls, and 12 residential structures that currently occupy the 80-foot Government reserve required for the expansion.
“In those 248 encumbrances, while I said the majority are fences and vending stalls and the rest of it, 12 are actual houses. But like you would know, wherever the Government of Guyana is engaging to bring improvements, modernisation and transformation, wherever we have to acquire property, it is being done in consultation, with notice, following the law and the constitution, to ensure that if we have to acquire, people get fair market value, and they are adequately relocated.”
“So, there should be no alarm, or noise. We are not coming into your area tomorrow and knock down your fence. We are not coming into your area tomorrow and say you have to move,” he added.
Grievance redress mechanism
During the consultation, Edghill emphasised the importance of the Grievance Redress Mechanism, citing recent examples where residents raised valid concerns about blocked entrances or safety hazards caused by other utility works.
The Minister warned against misinformation and encouraged residents to use official grievance channels rather than social media to raise issues. “This is not something we deal with on Facebook… there are designated people you can contact, and if those channels fail, you can reach out directly to the Ministry. I have an open-door policy,” he stated.
The EBD Road Improvement Project was awarded to CRBC to the tune of US$75.8 million.
The 24 kilometres (km) of road covers three sections, including Section A which 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.
A notable feature of the project is the integration with the Soesdyke/Linden Highway through the construction of a roundabout, designed to facilitate smoother traffic transitions.
The roadway project also boasts 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.