Latest update January 6th, 2025 4:00 AM
Erection of arch creates traffic chaos on East Coast
– CXC students among those affected
Diversion of traffic when the roads were opened at noon from the East Coast Highway to Atlantic Ville
Workers erecting an 80-ft arch at Cummings Lodge on the Rupert Craig Highway, were forced to halt works mid-morning yesterday as traffic snarled along the East Coast of Demerara highway.
Beverly Harper, Managing Director at Ansa McAl Trading Guyana Limited, the company responsible for the structure, explained that the arch is in commemoration of the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence, which are being held tomorrow.
Works started as early as nine yesterday morning, with roads being closed between Liliendaal and Industry. In Georgetown vehicles were backed up as far as Vlissengen Road.
Several irresponsible drivers took advantage of the situation on the railway embankment road, and created three lanes as a result of their actions, causing even further havoc. Police officers were on the road, however they could not manage the traffic. Many children were late for school, and persons late for work. Even business deliveries were delayed.
Persons took to social media to complain. This publication received a number of calls from angry commuters who voiced their objections. A number of students were said to have been late to Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams.
Many citizens opined that the arch should have been done on a holiday or weekend, and several spoke of the exercise being poorly managed.
Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine described the incident as unacceptable. “I don’t understand why it had to be done at such a time, especially while school is on.”
An advisory released by the company stated that due to the installation of an arch on the Rupert Craig Highway, all vehicular traffic would be diverted to the Ogle Airstrip access road and the Rupert Craig Highway junction, and U.G road access road and the Rupert Craig Highway junction.
Harper said that the project was scheduled to start one week ago, however the fabricator was late in delivering the materials for the arch. The structure is in three parts she explained, “The arch is 80 feet high that’s why works had to be done in the day.” There are no lights high enough to facilitate works in the late evening”.
The arch represents a boundary between the East Coast and Georgetown. The project is a collaboration of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Ansa McAl Trading Guyana Ltd.
The company apologized for the inconvenience caused.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure also apologized for the traffic disruption caused and advised citizens that the East Coast of Demerara highway between UG access road and Ogle Access road would be closed from 6 pm last evening to complete the installation of the arch.
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