IDB approval for Good Success-to-Timehri Road Project likely within 2 weeks

– contracts for Grove, Buzz Bee Dam-Friendship roads at procurement stages

Rehabilitation works on the Good Success to Timehri road on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) are expected to start soon, once the government secures financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This approval is expected within a matter of weeks.
This is according to the Ministry of Public Works, which on Tuesday issued a stinging rebuke to persons who were using the need for repairs on the East Bank corridor for political gain. It follows a video that was shared by Alliance for Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes, claiming that a section of the east bank road had collapsed.
According to the Ministry, it is aware of the need for repairs to the East Bank corridor, which is constantly under stress from the high traffic volume, including from heavy-duty trucks. The Ministry made it clear that the government has been doing periodic maintenance work to sections of the roadway, to ensure traffic can keep flowing.
Additionally, the Ministry assured that it has a holistic plan for ensuring the entire corridor, from Mocha to Timehri, can be repaired while avoiding undue hindrances to traffic… which is why a bypass road between Grove and Diamond was constructed in the first place.
“To holistically address this pressing concern, the Government of Guyana has recently constructed a bypass road through Grove-Diamond to connect with Heroes Highway so that the stretch of road between Grove and Diamond can be available for reconstruction, while simultaneously facilitating the flow of traffic that is necessary to keep the wheels of industry turning,” the Ministry said.
Their plans include the rehabilitation of Good Succes to Timehri, which is being funded by the IDB. Approval of financing is expected within two weeks, according to the government, after which construction will start.
“This segment of road is scheduled for rehabilitation under financing from the IDB under a Design and Build contract. The contract was signed and designs for Section B were submitted for approval. Works entail; i. Rehabilitation of structures, ii. Rehabilitation and widening of carriageway, iii. Installation of roadside furniture, iv. Road markings, v. Installation of street lighting, vi. Provision of pedestrian walkways in residential areas,” the Ministry said.
Another IDB-funded road project along the East Bank corridor is the Mocha to Diamond stretch of road. According to the Ministry, the Bills of quantities which will determine the engineer’s estimate for the project, have been completed and are being reviewed.
“Works entail: i. Pothole patching, ii. Milling (removal, grinding and reusing the top layer of asphalt without disturbing the underlying subbase) iii. Local failure repairs, iv. Asphalt concrete overlay,” the Ministry further explained.
Meanwhile, the parts of the corridor being funded by the Government of Guyana are currently at the procurement stage. In the case of one, Grove Road, works will get underway to reconstruct the road once a contractor is on board.
The work includes; “i. Excavation of unsuitable existing material (approx. 1m), ii. Backfilling with white sand, iii. Use of geosynthetic fabric, iv. Loam subbase, v. Crusher run base, vi. Asphalt concrete wearing course, vii. Concrete drain and utilities are already completed, viii. The by-pass road from Diamond to Good Success is completed and operational (for light vehicles).”
When it comes to the four-lane highway being constructed along the Heroes Highway alignment from Buzz Bee Dam to Friendship, the bids for this project are currently being evaluated. According to the Ministry, the vision is to have this road built to the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, which itself is also going to be reconstructed to the tune of US$161 Million.
In light of the plethora of plans already in place and at various stages of implementation, for the rehabilitation of the East Bank corridor, the ministry slammed the misinformation campaign in full swing, which gives the mistaken impression that there is no plan for the road transport network.
“It is unfortunate that while this plan was discussed in the National Assembly because monies were appropriated for sections of this undertaking, we now have individuals who are “politicking” in a way that would suggest that there is no plan to comprehensively address the issues being faced along the East Bank Public Road.”
“As can be observed in every part of the country, the Government of Guyana is addressing the road transport network and its connectivity with bridges. Surely, the product is what we all desire and hope for, but the process is also important,” the Ministry further said.
The EBD Road Improvement Project aimed at supporting climate-resilient infrastructure development, marks the first of its kind to be funded by IDB in Guyana. 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.
As the main roadway leading to the country’s main port of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri, the EBD corridor has been massively expanded in recent years. The development works have included the alternate four-lane highway from Mandela Avenue to Diamond, a Diamond to Mocha/Arcadia two-lane road, a four-lane road at Little Diamond and a new Grove/Diamond Road.