Rehabilitation of Soesdyke- Linden Highway discussed with Region 10 administration

Plans for the major rehabilitation of the Soesdyke- Linden Highway, upgrade to the Linden- Mabura Hill road and the construction of a river/bridge crossing at Karupukari are currently moving apace.

On Thursday, a team attached to the Public Infrastructure Ministry visited the office of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC) along with a design team from Beston/SRKN’gineering, which has been contracted by the ministry to conduct feasibility studies and detailed designs for the projects. During the visit, the team presented various aspects of the projects to Regional Chairman Renis Morian and Councillors.
These included an overview of the project, scope of work, initial activities and findings. The Council also had the opportunity to voice concerns and give suggestions for the projects. The projects are presently at the introductory phase of the designs. Project Manager attached to the ministry, Dionne Amsterdam said the aim was to incorporate concerns and suggestions into the designs. Project Director and team leader attached to SRKN Stuart Hughes in the presentation of the projects said the team will return to present proposals for design solutions which is expected to include technical details. He explained that the basic objective of the consultancy is to produce detailed designs, feasibility studies and bidding documents for the rehabilitation of the Soesdyke- Linden Highway. Included in the scope is the rehabilitation of the highway from Soesdyke (intersection of Soesdyke and East Bank road) to the end of the Mackenzie- Wismar Bridge in Linden. Hughes noted that the team will examine the 9 bridges and 6 culverts along the corridor to determine if they are structurally fit and conduct a road safety audit.
“…essentially a specialist who is a qualified road safety auditor…will travel the entire length of the roadway…highlighting all of the sort of unsafe features of this roadway”, he said noting that this will be independent of the design team as the auditor will work independently. Hughes continued that the auditor will then make recommendations, as he pointed out that the team will also conduct an environmental and social impact assessment. Social and Gender Specialist Vanda Radzick highlighted that the projects are all in preparation for the Guyana- Brazil link and the Linden- Lethem road. She said so far the company has met with a number of stakeholders along the highway, including the Kuru Kururu Neighbourhood Democratic Council.
Radzick pointed out that stakeholders have expressed deep concerns about safety and security, and the non-lighting of the highway and logging trucks. She noted that the team was assured by the ministry however that lights will be installed prior to the completion of the design.
The Preliminary design is expected to be presented by the end of August.