Linden to Lethem Road Project: Contract inked for next 30km of road from Mabura Hill to Kurupukari

As works on the first section of the Linden to Lethem Road Project near completion, the Guyana Government is already moving towards the next phase with the signing of a contract to advance the Mabura Hill to Kurupukari section. This was revealed by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, during the recent two-day Cabinet Outreach led by President Dr Irfaan Ali in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) last week. Addressing residents at Coomacka Mines along the Demerara River on Wednesday last, Edghill indicated that the second phase of the major road project will see some 30-kilometres (km) being upgraded. “We are 80 per cent completed with the Linden-Mabura Road, and we’ve just signed a contract to continue another 30 kilometres beyond Mabura to go to Kurupukari,” the Public Works Minister disclosed. Currently, works are ongoing on Phase One of this major hinterland transport corridor with some 121 km of asphalt road being built from Linden to Mabura Hill in Region 10. These works are being carried out by Brazilian-based contractor, Álya Construtora – an international infrastructure company specialising in civil works, heavy infrastructure projects and road development in complex environments. Guyana Times was reliably informed that the contract for this new phase of works on the Linden to Lethem Road was awarded to the same Brazilian company.

80 per cent
Meanwhile, just last week, it was reported that works on the Linden to Mabura Hill section is nearing its 80 per cent overall completion status. “With overall progress now at 79 per cent, works continue toward the completion of the remaining components of the project,” the Public Works Ministry stated. “This significant advancement along Guyana’s main hinterland corridor accounts for the completion of pavement construction, earthworks, subgrade preparation and asphaltic works, with substantial sections of the roadway now at an advanced stage of completion.” With the project now moving beyond its major earthworks phase, the new focus is that of finishing works and the installation of associated road infrastructure and signage. Phase One was initially expected to wrap up by the end of August 2026. However, no date has been given for the full completion of the project. The upgraded corridor is expected to support economic activity and improve transportation links to the country’s interior regions. Linden to Mabura Hill Road Project is the first phase of the much larger Linden to Lethem Road Project, which also includes bridging the Kurupukari crossing. It was also reported in August that preparations are advancing for the construction of the Kurupukari Bridge across the Essequibo River. According to Edghill previously, 48 bridges have already been completed along the Linden to Lethem corridor, while the proposed Kurupukari Bridge is expected to span between 700 and 800 metres. Previously, there were talks of using sections of the now decommissioned Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) to connect the Kurupukari crossing. However, subsequent studies have found that this is not feasible. Taking into consideration the heavy rapids, rocks and the need to accommodate extra-long grain trucks and trailers from neighbouring Brazil, the Government has since decided that a new high-span fixed concrete bridge will have to be constructed at Kurupukari. The Linden to Mabura Hill phase is being done to the tune of US$190 million and is funded through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) via a US$112 million loan, a grant of £50 million (US$66 million) from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF), and an input of US$12 million from the Guyana Government. President Dr Irfaan Ali had previously hinted at tapping into the £3 billion available under the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) to possibly fund the remaining section of all-weather road upgrade to Lethem. In fact, back in January, former British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller had revealed that the Guyanese Government was already in discussions with a number of British companies on this critical road project. Currently, this road network is being utilised by an estimated 50,000 travellers who transport goods from the coast to the inland regions of Guyana and even into neighbouring Brazil. The previous condition of this road had posed significant challenges for commuters and transport operators. Heavily laden lorries frequently toppled off the roadway, and deteriorated bridges required manual alignment of boards for crossings, often with unsafe outcomes. However, when completed into an all-weather road, this pertinent piece of infrastructure would significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel time and open up new commercial and trade opportunities especially between Guyana and Brazil.