Rehabilitation of ECD bridges downscaled

… as Public Infrastructure Ministry focuses on Durban Park project

As Guyana approaches its Golden Jubilee anniversary, focus has been shifted to the celebrations, and as such, the Public Infrastructure Ministry (MPI) has downscaled its rehabilitation works of East Coast Demerara bridges in order to give the Durban Park project full manpower.
During a telephone interview with Guyana Times, Infrastructure Ministry Coordinator of the Works Services, Geoffrey Vaughn, said the main focus is currently the construction of the Durban Park Stadium. However, he indicated that there is still some works being done on the bridge projects along the East Coast of Demerara, but it is being conducted “in a phased manner.”
“This is a phased intervention, one bridge has already been constructed, another is due for completion shortly, which is the one in Ogle, along the railway embankment, and we are moving in a phased manner.’’
Vaughn highlighted that the Ministry is planning to replace the steel structure on the bridges. He added that there were many reasons for the decision to substitute the steel structures but one specifically would be because of the traffic increase on the East Coast of Demerara. Vaughn added that workers would be designated to work 24-hour shifts to hasten the project’s completion.
The Ministry’s Works Services Coordinator was however not able to give an exact cost for the rehabilitation, noting that he “did not have the paper works and wants to give an exact amount and not an estimate.’’
Only last week, the Government announced that some $150 million was reserved for the completion of the Durban Park project. The Ministry will also be taking over the project, as this was confirmed by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, who said that since Cabinet approved the finances, the Ministry was now taking full control of the project.