Govt finalising first phase of ECD road expansion

– awaiting feasibility study for Ogle bypass road

With the arrival of the New Year, there have been some concerns expressed about various public infrastructure works. According to a senior official in the Public Infrastructure Ministry, these projects are in varying stages of completion.
In an interview with Guyana Times, Work Services Group Head Geoffrey Vaughn gave an update on the four-lane East Coast expansion as he noted that works are still concentrated on the four-lane expansion from Better Hope to Annandale
“We are now trying to complete the first phase, which is between Better Hope and Annandale,” Vaughn noted.
The US$50.2 million East Coast road expansion project has two components. One features a four-lane expansion of the road from Better Hope to Annandale and the other caters for an upgrade to the existing two-lane road from Annandale to Belfield.
Guyana had received a US$45.3 million concessional loan from the China EXIM (Export-Import) Bank to finance the road project, and that agreement was signed in January last year.
Initially, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had tried to secure financing for the road expansion project, but the money was not readily available.
Hence, the then administration decided to use local funds for preliminary works while it awaited the release of funds from the Chinese to complete the works. The preliminary works for the four-lane upgrade were completed at the end of 2014.
With the China EXIM Bank putting up most of the finances for the road expansion, Guyana had awarded the contract to China Railway First Group for some US$42.7 million. The Chinese construction company reportedly put in the lowest bid of US$46.994 million. The PPP/C Administration had stated that it is saving some $2.8 billion by giving the contract to China Railway First Group.
Upon completion of the widening and improvement of the East Coast Demerara Highway, citizens travelling along the East Coast will benefit from reduced travel time and less traffic congestion. Apart from the road being expanded, the project includes improved drainage for the East Coast, which is usually susceptible to floods.

Ogle bypass
Meanwhile, there is another project that will have a profound effect on Guyana’s infrastructure. This is the Ogle Bypass road, which when completed will connect the East Coast directly with the East Bank.
Vaughn spoke on this project as well and noted that the feasibility study is due in March. According to Vaughn, all preparations for the construction phase will follow once that is completed.
“The Ogle bypass road, the Ministry at this present time is awaiting the final copy of the Feasibility study… and design. That should be in by March,” the WSG head informed this publication.
When he presented the budget last year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan revealed that the projected cost of the East Coast/East Bank road linkage project (Ogle bypass) had jumped from US$50 million to US$120 million. He noted that Government will approach its bilateral partner, in this case the Export-Import Bank of India, for more funds.
This EBD-ECD bypass project is expected to be 26 kilometres of road constructed, linking two of the country’s main thoroughfares. This new road link will also be connected to key communities in Georgetown and along the East Bank of Demerara. Those include Diamond, Mocha, Eccles – all on the East Bank – and Aubrey Barker Road in Georgetown.