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$338M budgeted for critical works on Harbour Bridge
Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, declared on Monday during the reading of the $220B budget, that the feasibility study for the new Demerara River Bridge is complete, and as such, the government has already invited expressions of interest for public-private partnerships for its construction.
In the meantime, Dr. Singh said that given the poor state of the existing Demerara Harbour Bridge, some $338M has been budgeted for critical works to be done on the structure to further extend its life.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge, in an invited comment, said that while an allocation for the work on the existing bridge is welcomed, he will make a request for the feasibility study on the proposed structure to peruse its content.
Flashback: Men carrying out works on the Demerara Habour Bridge
“The (Harbour) Bridge is in a very bad state and I welcome the allocation for the time being… and I am happy that the Minister recognizes that the Bridge needs to be properly maintained. As it relates to the feasibility study (on the proposed new Bridge), I would wish to see it first and after careful examination, give more detailed comments later on.”
In the budget presentation, the Finance Minister indicated that the government had started the technical examination of the options for constructing a new bridge across the Demerara River. The Minister also stated that $300M was budgeted for the rehabilitation of pontoons, buoys, sheaves and shackles, anchor chains and cluster piles to improve the structural integrity of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Additionally, Dr. Singh, under the heading; Roads and Bridges, reminded that in 2013, Government invested $11.3 billion to continue the construction of the East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara four-lane highways, Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) access road, rural, community and hinterland roads, additional street lighting, and the rehabilitation of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
This year, $13.7 billion is budgeted to improve roads and bridges – $12.9 billion and $844.2 million respectively.
He said that the four-lane access road to the CJIA and the East Bank Demerara four-lane highway are expected to be completed this year.
The Minister informed members of the National Assembly that work is also expected to start on the West Coast Demerara Road. It will include pavement rehabilitation, pedestrian and cycle lanes in selected high traffic areas, and street lighting.
Also, the widening of the East Coast Highway will continue, and road reconstruction works for the upgrading of Better Hope to Belfield will begin.
“Construction of the Parika/Ruby backdam roads will begin, thus opening up access to over 330 farming households and over 2,000 acres of mixed crop farming. Engineering designs for the Canal Polder Nos. 1 and 2 roads and feasibility studies and designs for the extension of the highway from Diamond to Timehri will be undertaken.”
“On the East Bank Berbice, studies and designs will be completed and the complete reconstruction of six kilometres from Stanleytown to Everton and upgrade of 11.5 kilometres from Belle Vue to Light Town will commence.”
He added, “We will complete a financial feasibility study for the construction of a bypass road from Ogle to Eccles which will open new areas for development and investment and create a second route to reduce the congestion for the East Bank Demerara traffic.”
This, the Finance Minister expressed, will constitute the first phase in the development of an alternative route to the CJIA, thereby linking the two international airports and opening up a new development corridor for the East Bank Demerara.
An amount of $7.7 billion is also allocated for the improvement of rural, community and hinterland roads and for street lighting from Belle Vue to Patentia.
Further, Dr. Singh said that negotiations have advanced substantially between the Brazilian and Guyanese technical working groups as it relates to the preparation of a design study for the construction of the Linden to Lethem road.
“The technical assessment for alternative transport options, including the cost benefit analysis of a rail link to ultimately connect with the deep water harbour and container port on the Berbice River, will be completed.”
Also, the Minister said that government has teamed up with the Surinamese government for the construction of a fixed bridge over the Corentyne River.
“Resources are budgeted to upgrade the road link from Springlands to Moleson Creek and to prepare the bridge terminal facility.”
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