Bridge linking Guyana, Suriname to be placed at Moleson Creek

Nov 23, 2014 News

Serious work to realize a bridge that will link Guyana and Suriname has started with Government last week inviting

Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of the Work Services Group, Ministry of Public Works

bids for the construction of bridges along the access road.
The bridge has been in the works for a number of years now with both countries looking to capitalize on the current brisk trade expected to increase many fold when the structure becomes operational.
According to an advertisement in the state-owned Guyana Chronicle last week, the government is inviting bids for the project which will be done under the Ministry of Public Works’ Capital Bridges Programme.
The Invitation For Bids (IFB) said that the construction period for the bridges is to be 40 weeks.
Companies bidding must show annual average turnover of $40M with the tenders being opened on December 2.
According to Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of the Works Services Group of the Ministry,
Guyana has already decided that the bridge will be built in the vicinity of the Moleson Creek stelling, Corentyne, Berbice, which currently has a ferry operating between the neighbours.
However, Suriname is still finalizing details where the bridge will be anchored on the eastern side.
Under the announced arrangements, from the Guyana side, Government is to build all the access roads and structures leading to the new bridge.
With a bridge connecting Guyana and Brazil at Takutu, Region Nine, a link with Suriname has been seen as massive step of integration for South America.
Already, there is significant trade between Guyana and Suriname, with many Berbicians finding it routine to jump on a speedboat to visit the border areas.
The idea for the bridge was developed after a visit by Surinamese President, Desi Bouterse, in September 2010.
Earlier this year, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, disclosed that the money for the bridge is to be funded by the Chinese, through an arrangement with Suriname.
She said that the money would be coming from the US$3B in loans to 10 Caribbean