Latest update March 7th, 2025 7:05 AM
EBD Public Road expansion…Contractors seek to maximize dry season
Transforming the East Bank Demerara Public Road into a four-lane highway from Providence to Diamond is moving apace with contractors trying to complete as much work as possible in the dry season, says a source at the Public Works Ministry.
The project is divided into three Lots—Providence to Prospect, Prospect to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) ‘high bridge’ and DDL ‘high bridge’ to Diamond Housing Scheme entrance.
The roadway at Diamond taking shape.
Each lot is being undertaken by a different contractor and has its own completion timeline. Physical works on the project commenced in January 2012 and were expected to conclude within 18 months. But, owing to the presence of utilities, shortage of materials and poor weather, the project was delayed.
However, with a revised deadline and the presence of Government Engineer Walter Willis monitoring works, the entire project is expected to conclude by November. In fact, it was observed that since Willis has been supervising the project works have hastened.
According to the source, the section of roadway from DDL ‘high bridge’ to Diamond Housing Scheme that is being constructed by BK International is expected to conclude in November. The contractor is currently applying asphalted concrete on the eastern carriage way and works are being executed on the western thoroughfare.
The source noted that the presence of utilities continue to be a challenge in this section. Previously, the Works Ministry had said that conduits and pipelines in this section were relocated and that it was only the GT&T poles that were in the way. However, this is not the case since some pipelines remain a hindrance.
In October 2012, construction company, Macsood Ahamad, was contracted by Government to relocate conduits and pipelines from Providence to Diamond to the tune of $97M but experienced delays. Last July, GWI in a statement said the incomplete pipeline relocation was out of their control.
GEICO Construction Company executing works on the western carriageway at Little Diamond
Meanwhile, in Lot Two, from Prospect to DDL “high bridge”, the contractor, GEICO Construction Company, has converted the cane fields into roadway with cement stabilization surface and has applied asphalted concrete to a significant section.
The source noted that the contractor is currently installing concrete drains on the western section. Works to upgrade the western thoroughfare are expected shortly since the contractor would still have to wait sometime to move more aggressively with works on the eastern carriageway.
This section is one of the most progressive sections and construction is expected to conclude by August, the source said.
In Lot One, from Providence to Prospect, Dipcon Engineering Services is tasked with converting a large section into roadway. The contractor is still executing stabilization works. This section is expected to conclude also in July/ August.
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