Palmyra to Moleson Creek 4-lane road: Indian company awarded $6.2B contract for Canje Bridge to No. 55 Village lots

– 3rd lot yet to be awarded

Construction of the Palmyra to Moleson Creek four-lane carriageway is expected to commence in August, according to Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill on Thursday.
During discussions with members of the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCC), the minister disclosed that the project has been segmented into three lots, with the contract for road paving already finalised.
“An Indian company is doing two lots, and that should be commencing anytime around August 26,” Edghill told the CCC.

Lot one, which would stretch from the Canje Bridge to John’s on the Corentyne, is valued at $3,218,817,060; while lot two, stretching from Bloomfield to Number 54 village, is valued at $2,986,009,355. Lot three, which stretches from Number 55 Village to Moleson Creek, is yet to be awarded to a contractor.
Edghill has explained that while the contractor is responsible for designing the project, the Works Ministry has conducted its evaluation studies and design. He said that, during those studies, an alignment was discovered which traverses virgin land and avoids inhabited areas. However, it is more costly when compared to upgrading the existing alignment.
The minister noted that the existing route faces congestion points at Rose Hall Town and Corriverton, and those points cannot be expanded, therefore the construction of bypasses is being considered.
Additionally, contracts for upgrading the 99 structures along the carriageway have been signed, and work has commenced.
“So, you are seeing works being done to expand the bridges; works being done to expand the culverts and all the structures, and they have been moving apace,” the minister said.
Contracts for the relocating of utilities necessary for the construction of the road have also been finalised. These utilities include Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co Ltd (GT&T), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), and Guyana Water Inc (GWI).
Edghill further noted that the utility relocation, particularly for GWI, has faced delays due to limited space that would cease to exist once the thoroughfare is expanded to four lanes.
“We have to be able to get the civil works contractor and the utility contractor to operate together, because we would have to establish a utility corridor that will allow for cable operators, water, telephone, and electricity,” he said.
Government continues to invest heavily in infrastructure in Region Six. In October last year, the Public Works Ministry signed contracts totalling $8.8 billion for road works in the region, and contracts have recently been awarded to build 287 concrete roads.
Another major project in Region Six is the Palmyra Stadium, being constructed to the tune of $3.7 billion. This is expected to be completed in 2025.