New Soesdyke Junction roundabout: Vendors get final 2-week removal notice as heavy works set to begin

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, on Wednesday, engaged stakeholders ahead of the official commencement of physical groundworks for the new Soesdyke Junction roundabout, issuing vendors with a final two-week removal notice. The new roundabout will seamlessly link the East Bank Demerara (EBD) corridor with the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, acting as the primary artery connecting motorists traveling from Georgetown to Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and the wider hinterland. This transformation at the junction, aims to significantly reduce traffic congestion, enhance road safety, and facilitate more efficient trade and travel between the coast and the interior. During his engagement with stakeholders, Minister Edghill announced that heavy physical works on the project are scheduled to begin on September 9 and as such, urged vendors to cooperation with the relocation process. The Minister reiterated that this final notice follows a year of continuous communication, during which multiple meetings were held to ensure all affected parties were adequately informed of the impending project timelines. Furthermore, Minister Edghill assured the local businesses, deliberate steps have been taken to protect their livelihoods. According to a statement from the Ministry, the contractor will construct a fully paved tarmac to serve as a designated, safe relocation space for these businesses, to ensure the daily economic activities of vendors operating within the project alignment are not severely hindered.

Moreover, the initial phase of the physical works will prioritise comprehensive drainage enhancements along the highway alignment adjacent to the planned roundabout. This is estimated to address the severe drainage and flooding issues historically endured by residents of the Hill Foot area. Simultaneously, the relocation of public utilities will be executed as practical as possible. Additionally, following these preliminary preparations, a dedicated service road will be established to guarantee the continuous, unimpeded flow of traffic traveling to and from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The roundabout will accommodate two continuous lanes of vehicular traffic flowing seamlessly among the airport route, the highway, and the EBD corridor. It will feature a dedicated service lane designed to restrict unsafe lane changes and prevent motorists from abruptly cutting across the roundabout. Additionally, the existing road that runs parallel to the current single-lane highway, specifically the stretch located behind the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) building, will be permanently closed. This closure is a necessary safety protocol designed to eliminate blind spots and prevent accidents caused by converging traffic from the parallel street. At the engagement, the Minister and the technical teams emphasised that every measure will be implemented and closely monitored to ensure that comprehensive traffic management plans are strictly followed throughout the construction period. The Ministry said it remains committed to minimising disruptions while delivering a modernised, high-capacity junction that will serve the growing infrastructural needs of the country. The roundabout is part of the broader US$161 million modernisation and reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. It will connect with the US$75.8 million EBD Road Improvement Project. Recently, the Public Works Ministry urged commuters to “expect delays and allow extra travel time” amid ongoing road works from Good Success to the Timehri Junction. In a notice to the public, the Ministry explained that currently, extensive construction works are being undertaken in the Craig, New Hope, Friendship, Soesdyke and Timehri areas. Ongoing activities include excavation and road-widening works, installation of U-channel drainage, relocation of utilities and other associated activities. Additionally, full-depth road reconstruction requiring single-lane closure is currently being done at night in New Hope, Friendship and from Soesdyke Junction to Timehri Junction. In light of these developments, the Ministry said the speed limit has been reduced to 30 km/h in all construction zones. Commuters are also encouraged to obey all signs and instructions from traffic police and flaggers. They are also urged to proceed with caution and patience. Most importantly, the Ministry advised commuters to “plan your journey accordingly and leave early, as you should expect travel delays”.