Sections of old DHB earmarked for key infrastructure links in Reg 9

– Minister Edghill to conduct on-site assessment within 3 weeks

As the Guyana Government moves to improve connectivity within Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday disclosed that sections of the old Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) will be used for several bridge projects slated to be executed within the region. During an engagement with residents at Rukumutu and satellite villages in South Pakaraima, the Head of State disclosed that there are several bridges that are in need of critical upgrades in at least eight communities across the region. The infrastructure slated for upgrade includes the Sand Creek Bridge across the Rupununi River, the Yakarita Bridge, the Katoka Bridge, and the Parabara Bridge, among others. “What we’re going to do to kick-start things, sections of the Demerara [Harbour] Bridge, we will bring to Region Nine so that we can have those bridges completed, where possible, as quickly as possible,” the Guyanese Leader stated. According to the President, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill will lead a team to Region Nine to conduct an assessment within the next three weeks to ascertain what is needed to have these major bridges completed.

In addition, Minister Edghill will also be engaging regional officials and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development for works on a series of internal roads in about 30 Region Nine communities. This infrastructure, President Ali noted, is important not only to enhance access for persons but also to create economic opportunities within the region.

Agriculture investment
In fact, he pointed out plans for communities in the South Pakaraima region to start large-scale agricultural production, noting that there are specialists from the State of Roraima in Brazil already onboard to work with them. “So, if we can identify a larger acreage of land… and let us launch a scaled project. We have to do at least 500 acres… that is what we want to discuss with you. This is the future we want to build with you.” “The new wave we want now is how we create the economic takeoff of the villages. After making all of this infrastructure investment, now is the time for that grand economic takeoff. And that is what we are keenly interested in… In all of these villages, come up with [an] economic plan so that we can have this economic takeoff and continue the improvement in your lives,” the Guyanese Leader urged. Since last year, the technical team at the Public Works Ministry has been exploring locations across Guyana to utilise sections of the now decommissioned DHB. The 1.85-kilometre (km)-long floating steel bridge that has outlived its 20-year lifespan closed operations only last year when the new US$260 million fixed, high-span concrete Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge was commissioned in September.
Previously, Edghill had confirmed that parts of the steel floating structure would be used to connect Timehri to Sandhills, a small village located on the Demerara River just opposite the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
“I can tell you for sure, sections of the bridge, both the retractor and accepter spans, and other segments will be going to do the Sandhills-Timehri crossing-to make the road that we’re building from Sandhills falling into Bartica accessible,” the Minister had indicated.
The Government had also previously touted using components of the aged steel structure to bridge the Berbice River at Kwakwani, as well as bridging the Essequibo River islands of Leguan and Wakenaam. “We will be removing components of the Demerara Harbour Bridge to link Leguan and Wakenaam, so the ferry crossing will be Leguan, Wakenaam, Supenaam, and it will be much faster, and the transit time will be significantly reduced, bringing improvements and connectivity to the people of the islands, and that is the overall vision of what we will be doing,” the Public Works Minister had said in December 2025.
Currently, the Harbour Bridge is intact and retracted to allow for the free and uninterrupted flow of marine traffic along the Demerara River.