Design for proposed Ogle-Diamond road link completed

Jul 20, 2020 News

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure recently revealed to the public that a design for the prospective road link between Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) road and Diamond East Bank Demerara (EBD) has been completed.

A partial architectural impression released by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure

The design includes two roundabouts to aid in the flow of traffic and a four lane highway. This four lane highway was recommended by RITES Limited, an Indian company that had carried out a feasibility study for the project. The road link serves as a passageway for East Bank communities like Providence, Eccles, Mocha and Peter’s Hall.
The project aims to prevent traffic build up from Georgetown which often causes lengthy traffic jams, especially around early weekday mornings and at noon. Once the project is up and running, commuters on the ECD and EBD will be able to traverse without having to endure the Georgetown traffic build up.
It was previously stated by the Ministry’s Technical Services Manager, Nigel Erskine that the project would also include a 40-metre reserve in the middle of the two lanes following a recommendation by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. The official had recommended that a rapid rail be built from Ogle to Timehri which would allow fast transportation between the two areas.
While the prospective design has been completed, Kaieteur News understands that the Ministry would not be able to move any further with the project as there is no budget in place.
It was reported that the current cost construct of the road link is US$175 million which is 3.5 times larger than the originally estimated US$50 million that was expected to be funded by the Exim Bank of India.