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Hope Canal project…$349M bridge to open tomorrow
One section of the $3B Hope Canal project has been completed and is all set for an opening tomorrow, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) have announced.
The opening of the bridge, located next to the newly-built Hope Secondary School, East Coast Demerara, is the first step in the operationalisation procedure for this facility and it is expected
The Hope canal bridge being inspected in July. It is to be opened tomorrow.
that the other components will soon follow.
The ambitious canal project was conceptualised by Government as an alternative outlet for the East Demerara Water Conservancy. In the past, the Maduni and Lama outlets had proven problematic, as they were not enough to release the millions of gallons of water from the conservancy, with flooding along the riverain areas.
In 2005, there was massive flooding along the East Coast Demerara, prompting the administration to examine a number of measures. The canal at Hope was one of the consequent actions. There had been criticisms over the location.
The project has four components – the canal, the conservancy head regulator, the public road bridge and the high level outfall sluice. Construction work on the channel began in 2011, but due to several constraints, the project was delayed.
According to NDIA, immediately after the commissioning of the bridge tomorrow, the structure will be opened to traffic and the diversion road which vehicles were using to traverse the East Coast Highway in the vicinity of Hope will now be closed to facilitate remaining works.
“NDIA is urging all road users to comply with traffic signs and road rules and to make use of the completed Hope Canal Bridge. At the same time, motorists are reminded to be vigilant and to travel at a safe speed at all times since the bridge is in close proximity to the Hope Secondary School.”
The bridge which was constructed at a cost of approximately $349M has a length of 74.4 metres and a 47-metre sloped approach on both sides, NDIA said. It has the capacity to accommodate two-lane traffic, with sidewalks on both sides. It was constructed by DIPCON Engineering.
The US$15M canal project is being funded by Government.
It is anticipated that with the completion of Hope Canal, the frequent opening of the Lama and Maduni Sluices during the rainy season would not be necessary.
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