Great Diamond-to-Craig bypass highway to open Aug 6 to ease EBD congestion

…no heavy-duty vehicles allowed

The Housing Ministry on Monday announced that the long-anticipated Main Bypass Highway and connector roads from Great Diamond to Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Region Four, will officially open to the public on Wednesday.
The Ministry said that the opening of the bypass is part of ongoing efforts to ease traffic congestion along the EBD Public Road. The bypass is expected to provide much-needed relief for daily commuters and residents, even as some construction works continue. Initially, the road will accommodate light vehicles only and operate under a time-based, one-way traffic system which is 06:00h to 10:00h for One-way traffic from Craig (Busby Dam) to Georgetown) and 10:30h to 20:30h for One-way traffic from the Great Diamond Roundabout to Craig (Busby Dam).
The Ministry has warned that no heavy-duty motor lorries will be permitted on the road during these periods. The Ministry explained that the decision to partially open the bypass before completion was prompted by the “urgent need for traffic relief.” With East Bank residents continuing to face prolonged delays, the temporary opening of the route is expected to significantly reduce travel time during peak hours. Although some sections of the roadway remain under construction, safety measures and traffic management systems are in place to ensure that the bypass can be safely used. According to the Ministry, drivers are strongly urged to proceed with caution, obey posted signage, and be vigilant for workers and equipment in active construction zones. The Ministry also noted that diversions and designated traffic control personnel will be deployed to help ensure a smooth and safe transition. All road users are encouraged to follow directions and stay updated with future traffic advisories. The EBD Public Road is undergoing upgrades and as such this has caused much traffic congestion. This US$75.8 million expansion is part of a larger project to improve the corridor, with ongoing infrastructure upgrades. Undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the road expansion aims to alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate vital routes for efficient transportation. Earlier this year, the Public Works Ministry had said that the project has been divided into three sections. 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. 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 project entails the rehabilitation of 24 kilometres (km) of road, alongside the reconstruction and widening of over 58 bridges and culverts.