Rehabilitated Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie roadway commissioned

The Public Infrastructure Ministry on Wednesday commissioned the recently-rehabilitated 30.7km roadway on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), which was part of a road improvement project that lasted approximately 40 months.

The project, budgeted at US$46.7 million, is the fourth of its kind that was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in collaboration with the Government. The contract was inked on November 22, 2014 under the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration and road works along the main access road on the WCD from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie. The project was approved in the 2014 Budget.
According to the Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, who was present at the ceremony, the project was conceptualised to increase efficiency and safety of all road users in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) as well as to foster development in all sectors.
“The completion of the rehabilitation of this road is timely as the West Coast of Demerara and Region Three, as a whole, is a growing hub for continuous sectoral development. These developmental activities are only as good as the ability to access locations within and on the outskirts of the Region for which this provides the opportunity to link communities, reducing travel time and increasing productivity,” the Public Infrastructure Minister commented.
Additionally, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon underscored the importance and positive outcomes of successful construction projects.
“Construction plays a key role in the socioeconomic development of any country. It is through construction that vital infrastructure like roads, bridges and airports are put in place. Our public buildings such as schools, offices and hospitals are all realised through successful construction projects and activities,” Harmon stated.
Some of the features which were added to the new roadway include a widened section for cyclists and pedestrians at key junctions, the installation of traffic signs, pedestrians and road markings, concrete drains and the construction of parking lanes along identified sections.
Meanwhile, pedestrians and drivers were urged by the Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson, to practise road safety drills on the refurbished roadway in an effort to reduce the traffic mortalities rate in Guyana.
“I would like to make a public appeal to road users, especially drivers of motor vehicles to exercise the five Cs: care, caution, consideration, common sense, and courtesy when using the roadways. Let us avoid the use of reckless driving on our roadways which will aid in the reduction of deaths,” Ferguson said.
With the WCD road works finally completed, the Ministry has indicated that the West Bank of Demerara (WCD) will see the rehabilitation of the La Grange to Wales road and Belle West Canal Number Two Old Road.