Minister, contractors meet to ensure timely completion of Eccles-to-Mandela Ave Highway

As works move apace on the construction of the $2.3 billion four-lane highway that would link Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to Mandela Avenue in Georgetown, Housing Minister Collin Croal on Monday engaged contractors to ensure a timely finish.
Along with Housing Ministry Permanent Secretary Andre Ally, Minister Croal discussed how the Ministry could support the works so that the December 2021 deadline is met. The contractors were also given a platform to raise issues that are affecting the smooth execution of the project. Both contractors and the Ministry’s Projects Department have committed to collaborating to achieve the set standard.
Meanwhile, the Minister pleaded with residents of Caneview Avenue in the vicinity of Plaza Bridge, David Rose Street , South Ruimveldt Gardens to be patient as the works are carried out. A series of consultations to generate feedback from the community will soon be organised.
With construction looming, the Minister explained that trucks will be traversing the area to facilitate the massive development works on the four-lane highway. He assured that the Ministry would be collaborating with the Public Works Ministry to correct any defects that may arise from this activity.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the team of contractors along with Surveyors from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) visited the construction site to ensure proper alignment in keeping with specifications.
In April, the Ministry inked the $2.3 billion contracts in six lots for the construction of the new road link between Eccles and Mandela Avenue. Contracts were signed with Guyamerica Construction Incorporated ($555 million); MTSUL Construcoes Limited, M and P Investment Incorporated, and Cobra Eireli ($364.4 million), Puran Brothers Disposal Incorporated ($360.2 million); Collin Talbot Contracting Services and Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works ($256.7 million); Aronco Services Incorporated ($471 million) and JS Guyana Incorporated ($352.4 million).
The scope of works includes land clearing and drain cleaning; construction of 5.4 kilometres of earthen drains and 200 metres of reinforced concrete drains; construction of culverts; 2.8 kilometres of four-lane rigid pavement carriageway with two no parking lanes; installation of street lights and 12 heavy-duty composite bridges.
Works are expected to be completed by December 10, 2021 and have been divided into six lots: Lot 1- Eccles, East Bank Demerara; Lot 2 – Agricola, Greater Georgetown; Lot 3 – Rome, Greater Georgetown; Lot 4 – Houston South, Lot 5 – Houston North, Greater Georgetown; and Lot 6 – South Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown.
The Eccles-to-Mandela Highway was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali in January when he visited the proposed sites for the road. The Head of State had noted at the time that this project would ease congestion along the EBD corridor.