DHB, Berbice and Wismar Bridges now toll-free

Aug 02, 2025 News

Kaieteur News – The Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), Berbice and McKenzie/Wismar bridges are all toll- free as of August 1, 2025.

For over four decades, the DHB has served as a vital gateway to Region Three, connecting thousands of Guyanese daily while supporting trade, tourism, and national development.

Spanning 1.85 kilometres (6,078 feet) across one of the widest points of the Demerara River, the floating bridge links communities on the West Bank to Peter’s Hall on the East Bank of Demerara.

Earlier this year, President Irfaan Ali announced that the three bridges would be toll-free in August. He made the announcement while addressing party faithful at a memorial to commemorate the birth anniversary of the late, former president, Dr. Cheddi Jagan at Babu Jaan Port Mourant, Berbice.

Last year August, the president had first announced that the tolls will be removed from crossing the bridges when the new ones are completed. Government is currently building a new Demerara River Bridge as well as one in Wismar Linden. A new bridge for Berbice is also in the pipeline.

Speaking at the memorial, President Ali said that the move by the government will bring ease in travel while eliminating financial burdens on thousands of commuters.

The US$260 million 2.8-kilometre new Demerara River Bridge, a key project to alleviate traffic congestion caused by the current Demerara Harbour Bridge ( DHB) is slated to be completed soon.

The new bridge is being constructed by China Railway Construction (International) Limited, with the Italian firm Politecnica overseeing the project. The bridge’s main span, located between Piers 34 and 35, will be 300 feet wide and 164 feet high, allowing Handymax-type vessels to pass through unobstructed. The towers supporting the span will rise 220 feet above the carriageway, making the total height of the structure 384 feet above water level. Once completed, the bridge will connect Regions Three and Four, playing a crucial role in enhancing efficiency and economic activity in the area.

With respect to a new Berbice River Bridge, President Ali had said then that government was in the process of discussing with the Berbice Bridge Company the possible acquisition of that bridge. He said if the acquisition is not finalised by the time the new Demerara River Bridge is operational, the Berbice River Bridge crossing will also become toll-free simultaneously.

That bridge was constructed between 2006 and 2008 at a cost of $8 billion, and received financial backing through loans and equity contributions from various entities, including the state-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and private investors. It must be noted that the bulk of the money invested in the Berbice Bridge came from NIS. Sharing ownership percentages in the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI): National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) holds 10 percent, NIS owns 20.2 percent, and other stakeholders include Hand-in-Hand Fire Insurance (10 percent), New GPC (20 percent), Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (20 percent), and Secure International Finance Co. Limited (20 percent).

With regard to the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge, in January 2024, the government and China Railway Construction Corporation Limited signed a US$35M contract for its construction. The four-lane bridge is expected to be completed in two years. It will be pre-cast and will measure 220 meters. It will carry all road safety signs, lighting and have a 32-meter horizontal clearage and 11.5 meters vertical clearage. It will be constructed in the vicinity of West Watooka, Wismar.

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Berbice, DHB, toll-free, Wismar Bridges

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