‘Two bridges are better than one’ – Harmon

Government is soon to commence construction of a new bridge across the Demerara River, but the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, to have said there is no reason for the current structure to be demolished.
Minister Harmon is reported to have said, “Two bridges are better than one”, and to have noted that, as Minister responsible for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), he would be lobbying for the upkeep of the current bridge even after the new one has been completed.
“I see absolutely no sensible reason to decommission one (when) you have another one. I will lend my voice to that chorus which says that we should keep both bridges,” he told staff members and special invitees at the Demerara Harbour Bridge’s 40th anniversary celebration on Sunday at the Umana Yana.
The new Demerara River Bridge will see construction of an approximately 1,500-metre-long fixed bridge with a movable span, and two approach roads of a total length of 600 metres. It is envisaged that the project will commence in 2018 and be delivered in 2020.
A ‘feasibility study and design’ report for the new Demerara River Bridge completed by consulting company Lievense CSO has determined that the proposed location of Houston-Versailles is the most ideal.
The structure, the report said, will provide the greatest socio-economic benefits for Guyana, and lead to the lowest urban environmental impact. Furthermore, it was recommended that the promotion of alternative transportation routes should be encouraged, to lend to the longevity of the new bridge.