The Public Infrastructure Ministry is currently in the process of implementing measures which will enable Police to monitor the use of the pedestrian overpasses erected along the East Bank of Demerara.
One of the new structures
This is according to the subject Minister, David Patterson who told Guyana Times that these final works should be completed shortly to allow pedestrians to use the elevators.
“The elevators are working, the elevators are installed (and) everything is completed but we just need to fully put them into operation. There is a security issue which we are addressing”.
Patterson made it clear that the overpasses have no default and the Ministry is just trying to ensure that the commodity itself is secured as well as the pedestrians who will be using it.
“You want to ensure that there is adequate security available 24 hours before it will be in use for 24 hours so that’s the only thing we are doing as we speak…the Police will be able to monitor the usage of the overpasses so that’s what we’re working out,” he added.
When asked when the elevators will be operation he said “eminently”.
To further ensure that the elevators are properly used, the Ministry in September last announced plans to train persons on the safe usage of the new structures.
At present, there are five pedestrian overpasses located at Houston, Eccles, Peter’s Hall, Providence and Diamond.
Ten lifts were sourced from Sweden earlier in 2018 and two were installed; one on each side of the crosswalk.
Construction of the pedestrian overpasses commenced mid-2017 and was almost completed by December 2017.
The contract for the overpasses at Houston, Eccles and Peter’s Hall was awarded to B&J Civil Works for the sum of US$1,034,326.
Meanwhile, there were separate contracts for the Providence and Diamond overpasses which were both awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services to the tune of US$364,247 and US$364,727 respectively.
Trinidadian supervision firm RM Engineering Ltd was recruited to oversee the construction of the overpasses.
The introduction of these flyovers was intended not only to reduce the high level of road carnage but to eliminate traffic congestion along the East Bank Road, which is said to be the busiest in the country.
While many concerns were raised about the time it takes to walk the flight of stairs, the Public Infrastructure Ministry noted previously that this guarantees safety.
