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US$10M engineering design for Linden to Lethem Road imminent
The construction of the Linden to Lethem Road as a link to neighbouring Brazil is tied to the feasibility of the Upper and Middle Mazaruni Hydropower stations. However, the Governments of Guyana and Brazil are open to discussing other options.
This is according to Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett during a Prime Ministerial media conference held at the National Communications Network on Monday.
Linden to Lethem Road
She was part of a panel that updated the nation on the undertaking of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies on hydropower potential in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni by a Brazilian consortium.
According to the Minister, the construction of the road and the hydropower stations are very much interconnected.
“We have decided that the hydro and the road should go together and this is why we are moving towards designing to see what the road should look like….the road will cost us a large amount and at this point in time we cannot afford to increase our debt so to speak. The idea is, if the hydro project were feasible…we can start the road,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
As a South American nation Guyana is part of a regional integration infrastructure programme to connect countries across the continent.
According to the Minister, the South American countries identified a list of projects that would connect the continent and it included the Takutu River Bridge, the Linden to Georgetown Road and the Corentyne River Bridge.
Rodrigues-Birkett reflected that in December 2012 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries to establish a working group to look at infrastructural projects including the Linden to Lethem Road.
She recalled that the group was given a specific time frame to come up with proposals. It was concluded that an engineering design is needed for the Linden to Lethem Road. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett added that while environmental and social impact assessments were done, no actual design of the road was completed.
She said that the design would cost about US$10M and discussions are currently ongoing with the Brazilian Government in this regard. In addition, Government has to update the environmental and social impact assessments because they were done many years ago.
Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance, during his budget 2014 presentation said “Negotiations have advanced substantially between the Brazilian and Guyanese technical working groups regarding 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.
In addition, our Government has collaborated with the Surinamese Government for the construction of the 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.”
Earlier this year, Transport Minister Robeson Benn said that the feasibility study recently undertaken for the upgrade of the Linden to Lethem Road indicates that it makes economical sense to improve only the Linden to Mabura carriageway to an asphalted concrete surface.
He related that the feasibility study was done through the Inter-American Development Bank by the SNC Lavalin Company. Benn disclosed that the Government of Guyana and the Brazilian National Development Bank are currently looking at this investment. Meanwhile, he stated that to upgrade the stretch of road from Linden to Lethem would cost about US$280M.
As such, Government will continue to maintain the structure.
In fact, Government has allocated $1B this year for the development of hinterland roads. The Linden to Lethem Road is one of those identified in this project.
“The opportunities that arise from improved access to Brazil via the Linden to Lethem Road, the reduced costs associated with accessing hinterland villages when our interior roads are in passable condition, the economic advantages that arise when hinterland routes are open, all make a compelling case for investment in hinterland roads…Budget 2014 provides an allocation of $1 billion to be expended on rehabilitating critical interior arteries including the Linden to Lethem road,” he said.
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