Reconstruction of Soesdyke-Linden Highway: 300 locals to be employed as US$161M contract signed

…Pres Ali highlights economic boost, urges residents to maximise opportunity

A joint venture between Namalco Construction Services of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyanese firm Guy-America Construction Incorporated has been awarded the contract to reconstruct the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
The US$161 million contract signing ceremony was hosted on Wednesday at the Mighty Enchanter Creek and was attended by President Dr Irfaan Ali and other officials including Public Works Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar.
Delivering remarks, the Head of State emphasised that this new highway will boost economic productivity throughout the country.
This, he explained would expand the productive capacity of the country, boost land availability, and open up new areas for a multifaceted investment portfolio.

“When I saw multifaceted investment portfolio I am also not only speaking about the connectivity and importance of this highway to the transformation of Linden as an important industrial hub that will support the mining community that will be an important machining and mechanical hub but also the link of this highway to the Sand Hills Road that will open up all those lands for agriculture, tourism, and also for housing development all the way to Bartica,” President Ali articulated.
The upgrading the Soesdyke-Linden highway involves the reconstruction of two lanes, ten bridges and six culverts with improved design, quality and standards.
It also includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements providing essential public administration support, and improved connectivity with communities, roadside and other facilities.

The scope of work also entails milling of existing asphalt surface course, application of varying pavement structures above the milled sections of pavement inclusive of asphalt, sand asphalt, and sub-base; full-depth pavement reconstruction in certain sections, construction of three roundabouts along the alignment, sidewalks extension to nine multi-span bridges, drainage work, and utility relocation, and installation of roadway lighting.
The Head of State revealed that some 300 individuals from Linden will be employed by the contractor to work on the project.
“The contractors are looking for 300 persons to be employed. The average salary for a driver monthly will be more than $200,000… We want the persons in Linden and on the highway to maximize this opportunity,” he added.
To ensure the project stays on track with little to no delays, the government has acquired the services of an international consultant, Absheek Engineering of Kuwait, to work in collaboration with C.B. & Associates Incorporated. That contract totals some US$1.7 million.
President Ali assured Lindeners that their region will continue to see massive investments, including the 121 kilometres Linden-Mabura Hill Road that is being built for US$190 million.
“These investments are part of a wider menu of investment that is aimed at the transformation of our country, the opening up of opportunities…. As you know this highway is integral not only for the connectivity between region 4 and Region Ten but importantly it is one of the main arteries that support the development in the hinterland communities and wider afield,” President Ali said.
Last year, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government signed a US$200 million agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aimed specifically at financing the reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. (G1)