Linden-Soesdyke Highway upgrades: Speeding in construction zones poses risk to both workers, drivers – Edghill

…says speed limit reduction under review

As major upgrades continue on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the Government is considering a temporary reduction in the speed limit to protect commuters and construction workers. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who has been conducting site visits in the area, emphasised that ensuring the safety of road users is a top priority as the highway undergoes significant reconstruction.
According to Edghill, construction on the carriageway is accelerating, and public concerns about traffic conditions have been noted, and are actively being addressed by Government.
“Works on the actually carriageway is accelerating. We’ve seen various comments and concerns raised by commuters, drivers as well as passengers and we will like to address all the issues.”

“People are accustom driving this highway at 100 kilometres (km) and I think was the speed limit. Construction is taking place right now for example the area where we are standing has been milled out, this is where they start milling out the entire road where the asphalt is being taken up by way of a machine and is being prepared for overlay and they have to put on crusher run which involves bricks,” the Minister explained.
The upgrading of the US$161 million 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.
Given these conditions, Edghill noted that speeding in construction zones poses a significant risk to both workers and drivers.
“You can’t be speeding in the construction zone because the people who are working on that zone are at risk but you are also putting yourself at risk by speeding on a surface that is not completed… We will have to work with the Traffic Chief and agree on a new speed limit for construction and we will have to put up those signs in the interest of ensuring compliance,” Edghill said.
Edghill explained that the current speed limit for various sections of the highway will be restored in approximately six months, depending on the pace of the work.
“With the pace that they are working, within six months sections could already be overlayed and in those sections, we’ll be able to move faster. If I project a six months period, not the entire high way would be done. Sections that they are working on they would be able to clear it, overlay it and start working on other sections,” he added.
The contract for the Soesdyke-Linden highway was awarded to a joint venture between Namalco Construction Services of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyanese firm Guy-America Construction Incorporated.
This new highway is expected to boost economic productivity throughout the country while simultaneously expanding the productive capacity of Guyana, boosting land availability, and open up new areas for a multifaceted investment portfolio.
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.