New Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge on track for June opening – Ministry

…97% complete

Physical works on the new Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge in Linden, Region 10, (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are now 97 per cent complete. This is according to the Public Works Ministry which on Monday provided an update on the status of the bridge. During an assessment visit to the project site on Friday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill held a multi-stakeholder meeting with technical staff from the Ministry, contractors China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Company Ltd and GuyCo Construction Inc, and the consultancy firm, Politecnica.

Edghill and representatives conducted an onsite walkthrough of the 233-metre-long concrete bridge. Officials reported that concrete placement has reached 97 per cent. The team also inspected secondary connections leading to and from the bridge. A project update revealed that works on the western end of the bridge, on the Wismar side, are progressing. The West Watooka Connector and Dacoura Haul Roads are 33 per cent complete. Subgrade preparation, subbase, crusher run base and curbing for these roads have been completed. Foundation works for the roundabout are finished, while curbing is about 50 per cent complete. Work on the Burnham Drive approach is also advancing. Subsurface works are 38 per cent complete, curbing stands at 39 per cent, and culvert construction is ongoing.
At the eastern end of the bridge, works are 27 per cent complete, including foundation and retaining structures. To date, 3,750 prefabricated vertical drains have been installed and geotextiles laid. Contractors are currently placing white sand and crushed stone as part of subsurface preparation. A new culvert has also been installed at the Washer Pond Road approach at Noitgedacht. Construction of the retaining wall for the main embankment is underway, with excavation and geotextile installation already completed and backfilling in progress. According to the Ministry, the bridge project remains on track to be fully operational by June, pending completion of the connector roads. When completed, the toll-free crossing will include two barrier-separated pedestrian walkways, modern lighting and two roundabouts on the eastern and western sides of the bridge. The new 220-metre-long precast concrete bridge is also being built to accommodate a wider range of vehicle sizes and weights, as well as higher speeds and uninterrupted passage for vessels, facilitating safer and easier passage for commuters. In a Facebook post in December 2025, President Ali said, “Construction of the new Wismar–Mackenzie Bridge is moving ahead steadily, marking another major investment in Region Ten’s infrastructure. Once completed, the modern concrete and steel structure will replace the ageing bridge and improve traffic flow between Wismar and Mackenzie.” The contract for the new US$35 million four-lane Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge was signed in January 2024, with works commencing in April of that year.