Govt invites bids for relocation of old Demerara Harbour Bridge

The Public Works Ministry has invited bids for the relocation of the old Demerara Harbour Bridge to facilitate the proposed Sandhills-Timehri crossing.
According to a tender notice published by the Ministry, the project will be executed through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) process in keeping with the Procurement Act 2003 and is open to all eligible bidders.
Interested contractors can obtain, inspect and purchase bidding documents from the Accounts Department of the Ministry of Public Works at Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown, from today, May 21, 2026. The bidding documents are being sold for a non-refundable fee of GY$5000.
The Ministry stated that bidders registered in Guyana must submit valid compliance certificates from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) as part of the qualification requirements. Bids submitted for the project must remain valid for 180 days from the date of opening.
Tenders will be opened on June 24, 2026, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board at Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown, in the presence of bidders’ representatives and other interested persons.
Back in March, it was reported that sections of the old Demerara Harbour Bridge are expected to be repurposed for other transportation projects across Guyana once the structure is eventually retired from its current use.
In fact, parts of the bridge will be utilised as part of the proposed Sand Hills/Timehri crossing project, a major infrastructure initiative aiming to establish a new transportation link between Timehri in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Sand Hills in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).
The project is expected to improve connectivity between coastal communities and interior regions, creating more efficient access for residents, commerce, and travel. The route can eventually extend to the riverine town of Bartica.
It was further reported that in addition to this planned crossing, portions of the bridge will also be used to improve transportation links in the Essequibo River area.
Specifically, some sections are expected to be repurposed to create a connection between the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam. Such a link is expected to enhance mobility between the two agricultural communities, which currently rely primarily on boat transportation for travel and the movement of goods.
Back then, Minister Juan Edghill had explained that while the concept for these projects has already been outlined, it is still too early to provide a definitive timeline for when the works will begin. He noted that before any construction can take place, several technical and engineering assessments must first be completed.
The new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge was completed at a cost of US$260,852,464.