Preparatory works commence on East Coast Demerara four-lane expansion

Oct 27, 2011 News

The preparatory works for the expansion of the East Coast Demerara four-lane road has commenced. The actual construction of the four-lane road will be determined when the design for the road is completed, says Kelvin Clarke, Engineer, Works Ministry.
According to Clarke, the contracts for the four-lane upgrade to the East Coast Demerara Public Road Phase 1 (preparatory works), were signed on September 6. They are being executed in two lots from Better Hope to Montrose and from Montrose to Golden Grove.
The construction of the first lot is being undertaken by Falcon Transportation and Construction Services to a tune of $468,214,760.
Lot two which costs $671,623,054 is being executed by Dipcon Engineering Services.

Upgrade to East Coast Demerara four-lane road ongoing

The scope of the work entails: clearing of the right of way; placing of white sand base; construction of re-enforce concrete drains to either side of the road; and the construction of temporary timber bridges to facilitate access during the construction period.
Clarke noted that to prevent dust hazards, the Ministry plans to do a cement stabilize surface.
He said that during construction, utility services (Guyana Water Incorporated, Guyana Power and Light and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph) will be relocated where necessary.
“The preparatory works will be to the left and right sides of the road. The idea is to widen the East Coast Demerara Public Road into four-lanes. When the works are completed and the design for whatever reason is incomplete, the shoulders will not be used until the design is complete,” Clarke stated.
He noted that the Kuwaiti Government gave the Government of Guyana US$900,000 to prepare the design for that section of the road. He revealed that the Ministry advertised for requests for the proposals in August 2011.

4 thoughts on “Preparatory works commence on East Coast Demerara four-lane expansion”

seclusive October 27, 2011 at 9:47 am

This is a beautiful new development for the East Coast people and the traveling public but is there credibility established for the contractors? the money spent here will have to be paid by generations to come and it runs into millions of US dollars! questions people should ask: are we rich enough to afford these roads? will vehicles be asked in the form of tolls or tax to offset this type of expenditure, who will benefit really? the speeding continues and so is the carnage but who cares?this is a superficial facelift from the daily poverty which engulfs us…let me ask one question….a hungry mother from Better Hope who is also 3 weeks pregnant has 3 other children,attends the nearby health clinic, finds little or no medicines there, cannot afford 3 decent meals, live with her in-laws, have no potable ware in the home, face constant power outages, is tormented to move out and awaits her “Taxi Driver husband” to come home with daily groceries…in this scenario, does she care about 4 and 6 lane roads? it is time to wake up and smell the coffee!
Gewt October 27, 2011 at 5:17 pm

Is this a public works project? What kind of Mumbo-Jumbo is this about “If the design…is incomplted ..the shoulders will not be used until the design is complete” ? Which Public Works Officer or Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works approved this?
1. Fireman649 October 27, 2011 at 6:31 pm
  
  Gewt my friend I am sure that you have noticed that the tenders only went out in August of 2011 and they are already awarded mind you without a design been completed the contractors were able to provide an estimate for the project.
  
  I am amused that the work has started without a design, I wonder if it is determined after a survey is done the current work being done does not fit into the design drawn who will pay for the work completed.
BJAGDEO October 27, 2011 at 8:59 pm

From Better Hope to montrose is less than one mile, I know, because I live there
From Plaisance police station to driving cenema is exactly one mile..
$468,214,760 to do less than one mile road?.
Some one should look into this.
Then from Montrose to Golden Grove is several miles, and that will cost only $671,623,054, something is wrong here, but who can you complain to?.