The Berbice Bridge will officially become toll-free for all vehicles, vessels, and freight as of August 1, 2025 following the announcement by President Dr Irfaan Ali in March that bridges will be toll free in August of this year.
The announcement of toll-free travel across the Berbice Bridge in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was made on Wednesday by the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated via public notice.
Berbice Bridge in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)
This move follows the official announcement made back in March for toll-free travel across the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Berbice Bridge and the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge in Linden.
While the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated is the first to confirm that the mechanism is being put in place, commuters can expect the Demerara Harbour Bridge and Wismar Bridge Corporations to follow suit.
In fact, the Berbice bridge will briefly close for 30 minutes from 23:30h on July 31 to midnight on August 1, to facilitate the switchover.
However, despite the elimination of toll fees, processing of vehicles at toll booths will continue to manage traffic and enforce safety protocols.
Vehicle weight limits and all existing operational rules for the Berbice River Bridge will remain in effect.
The current Berbice River Bridge, a critical link between Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six, was constructed between 2006 and 2008 through a public-private partnership at a cost of approximately $8.2 billion. It was financed by loans and equity contributions from various entities including the State-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and other private investors.
Quality of life
According to President Ali, these improvements are tangible and run the gamut from more disposable income being put in their pockets, to improved access to health and education.
In one example, he revealed the contrasting investments in education made by the PPP/C Government in Region Six, versus that made by the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.
“Between 2015 and 2019, less than 20 per cent text-book availability was in the education system. Today, we have almost 90 per cent text-book availability in the school system. These are things you don’t see in a structure, but you see it in the results of our children,” the President reminded.
