Latest update March 13th, 2026 12:35 AM
Govt. looking for contractor for asphalt overlay on U$65M Heroes Highway
…APNU says projects always rushed without proper planning
(Kaieteur News) – Three years after the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government commissioned the US$65 million Heroes Highway, the Irfaan Ali-led administration has officially moved to locate contractors for the asphaltic overlay on the road.
The Heroes Highway, which links Mandela Avenue to Eccles and the new Demerara River crossing, is fast becoming one of the country’s most expensive infrastructure arteries with this new multi-billion-dollar investment adding to the growing price tag of Guyana’s concrete transformation.
A section of the Heroes Highway.
Earlier this year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that the government already had plans to have an asphaltic overlay placed on the highway – his comments followed criticisms from United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following a visit to Guyana in March 2025, Rubio made reference to the bumpy nature of one of the roads he was driven on, noting that “we almost had concussions.”
According to a Request for Proposal (RFP) by the Ministry of Housing – Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is inviting qualified and experienced contractors to submit their proposals for the execution of the asphaltic overlay works on the highway.
“The intent of this project is to improve ride quality, safety, durability and overall structural performance of the roadway. Heroes Highway is a strategic transportation corridor serving the emerging housing developments and critical regional infrastructure,” CHPA stated.
The RFP stated that the highway comprises of approximately 12.5 kilometer of existing concrete pavement, inclusive of 13 bridges and three roundabouts. According to the project description, the works involve the rehabilitation and strengthening the existing concrete pavement through a combination of pavement repairs, reinforcement interlayers and asphaltic overlay works in accordance with internationally recognised standards.
In 2021, the contract for the project was awarded to 12 contractors, GuyAmerica Construction Inc, V. Dalip Enterprise, (JV) Colin Talbot Contracting Services and Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works, S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc., H. Nauth and Sons, JS Guyana Inc., (JV) VALs Construction and AJM Enterprise, China Railway First Group Company Ltd., Aronco Services Inc., Ivor Allen, (JV) Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. and Khemraj Nauth Contracting Services. The aforementioned contractors work included the construction of some 30 reinforced concrete bridges, two roundabouts, and a total of 9.4 kilometres of reinforced concrete road.
Moreover, the full scope of work for the new project is outlined in the RFP as well as the minimum qualification requirements. Interested contractors can submit their proposals to the Chairman of the National Procurement Tender Administration (NPTAB) by 9:00hours on February 3, 2026.
On Friday, opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Terrence Campbell commented on the government move to now put an asphaltic overlay of the Heroes Highway.
Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Terrence Campbell
“Talk about putting the cart before the horse, everything is done with this government is done rushed, it’s a brainwave. President wakes up one morning and this is what they’re going to do without thinking the project through properly without feasibility studies and this is why now almost four years or five years after they started that whole Heroes Highway we’re now talking about an asphaltic overlay,” he stated during the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) press conference.
Moreover, opposition MP Nima Flue-Bess for her part noted that she finds it quite interesting that government is now moving to the Heroes Highway. She noted that she will pay keen attention to see how the works is executed especially in areas where there are homes nearby.
Kaieteur News recently reported that the CH&PA will expend approximately $4.2 billion on widening the Heroes Highway, adding new lanes from Haags Bosch to Massy Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The project which is divided into five lots, went out to tender and in October six contractors submitted bids to the NPTAB. This publication understands that the project will see the lanes from Haags Bosch to Massy Road on the Heroes Highway being widened from four lanes to six lanes.
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