New Demerara River Bridge on track for August completion

Jun 09, 2025 News

– ministry

Kaieteur News – The New Demerara River Bridge (DRB) is now 90% complete and remains on track to meet its August 2025 deadline, according to the Ministry of Public Works.

On Saturday evening, the final concrete pour for Pier 35 marked the completion of all 62 bridge piers. Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill and Minister within the Ministry, Deodat Indar, were on-site to witness the milestone.

Minister Edghill told reporters that all girders on the western side of the bridge are in place, while the remaining girders on the eastern side are expected to be installed by June 15. The cable-stayed main span is also progressing, with all 10 segments finished on the western end and 9 out of 19 completed on the eastern side.

New Demerara River Bridge on track for August completion

Ministers Edghill and Indar and others on Saturday night

The bridge’s completion deadline was previously shifted from March 2025 to August 31, 2025. In 2022, a US$260 million contract was awarded to a joint venture comprising China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Limited, China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co., Ltd, and China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The new bridge is expected to be a fixed high-level structure with four vehicular lanes and an uninterrupted passage of Handymax vessels through a cable-stay navigational span.

Notably, the minister confirmed that the bridge remains within its US$260.8 million budget and is being built by a team of more than 1,300 workers.

Minister Indar highlighted that the new bridge will significantly improve traffic flow. The structure gradually elevates from 2.5% to 4.8%, allowing for a smooth commute across the river.

The project is a major campaign promise of President Dr. Irfaan Ali and is expected to transform connectivity for thousands of Guyanese. The supervisory firm, Politechnica, has confirmed that construction is on schedule and up to international standards.

During a previous media engagement Minister Edghill had noted that no decision has yet been made on what the old Harbour Bridge could be used for. He had suggested it could serve as a crossing at Kwakwani, between Leguan and Wakenaam, or across the Canje Creek. He disclosed that a report on these possibilities has already been completed but stated that the findings would be disclosed at the right time. On the matter of current bridge staff, Edghill assured that no one will be left without a job, noting that while they may not be working at the same location they will still have a job.

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Bishop Juan Edghill, Demerara River Bridge, Guyana Roads, New Bridge Guyana, Public Works, West Coast Guyana

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