$233M estimated to rebuild sunken High and Cowan Streets bridge

Mar 25, 2026 News

The High Street bridge which will be rebuilt. (DPI photo)

(Kaieteur News) – The High and Cowan Streets, Kingston, Georgetown bridge will be rebuilt at an estimated cost of $233 million. The project falls under the Ministry of Public Works.

Minutes from the last opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office disclosed that the ministry received six bids for the construction of a pre-stressed concrete bridge at High and Cowan Streets.

The six contractors who applied for the contract are Ashoka Buildcon Limited ($215,994,281.17) and $189,540,312.56 (alt. price); DCSN Construction & General Supplies Inc., in joint venture with C&L Construction Inc. ($271,244,000); Gaico Construction & General Services Inc. ($389,463,850); K.P Thomas & Sons Contracting Inc. ($431,045,160); Dax Contracting Services ($431,372,760); and B.K International Inc. ($269,714,399).

On January 6, 2026, the ministry issued a public notice restricting the use of the bridge by heavy laden trucks. Further, the ministry said that there has been excessive settlement (sinking) of the High Street bridge.

“This damage is the result of very heavy trucks and the age of the structure itself. The damages will necessitate the reconstruction of the bridge, which will have to be done at the most convenient time, considering its location and the effect on the public,” the ministry said in its notice.

The ministry, at the time, advised all road users that a weight restriction of 10 tons will be imposed on the bridge. All trucks weighing more than 10 tons were asked to use alternative routes.

Days later, subject minister Juan Edghill and a team visited the location and explained that the recent paving done by the Special Projects Unit of his ministry does not mean the bridge was fixed. He explained that the asphalt was laid only to level a sunken section of the bridge, allowing cars and buses to pass more smoothly.

“Please don’t mistake the fact that you have seen fresh asphalt on the bridge and think the bridge has been fixed and everything has returned to normal. The bottom still cannot bear the weight of more than 10 tonnes,” he cautioned.

He warned that signs were installed and that the ministry will be working closely with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to ensure compliance, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

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High and Cowan Streets, NPTAB, rebuild, sunken bridge

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