US$261M Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge Commissioned
October 5 2025 — The new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge was officially commissioned today in a grand ceremony marked by national pride, cultural displays, and a massive public turnout.
The event began at the eastern end of the bridge and featured a historic walk led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who was joined by thousands of citizens crossing the iconic structure for the first time.
Describing the bridge as more than just a feat of engineering, President Ali said,“Infrastructure is not merely a physical structure: infrastructure is also a statement. It is a signal to the world that a nation is ready, and this bridge speaks loudly, declaring Guyana is ready, ready to modernise, ready to industrialise, ready to claim its place in the 21st century of a world economy.”
He noted that the high-span, four-lane cable-stayed bridge will revolutionize transportation across the Demerara River, adding,“This high-span 4-lane cable state marvel will forever change the rhythm of our country. It will shorten distances, strengthen commerce, and speed the movement of goods and services from coast to coast.”
The commissioning marks the completion of the US$261 million infrastructure project — a modern, long-term replacement for the old Demerara Harbour Bridge — constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited to last a century.
President Ali said the bridge represents both progress and gratitude, as he officially dedicated the structure in honor of former President Bharrat Jagdeo.“Great men deserve recognition. Visionaries deserve legacies. Guyana never forgets its giants,” the President stated.
“A grateful nation does itself a great injustice if it fails to honour its heroes. Today, we set the record straight… on behalf of a grateful people, I am pleased to dedicate this bridge in the name of Bharrat Jagdeo.”
He further highlighted Mr. Jagdeo’s significant contributions to Guyana and the wider Caribbean, citing his leadership on regional agricultural policy and his global environmental advocacy through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) — an achievement recognized by the United Nations, which named him a “Champion of the Earth.”“It is a signal to the world that a nation is ready, and this bridge speaks loudly, declaring that Guyana is ready, ready to modernise, ready to industrialise,” President Ali reiterated, emphasizing that the structure would serve as a “lifeline for commerce, industry, and people.”
He added that the benefits of the bridge will be “obvious and immediate,” saying,“Every commuter will feel it. Every business will benefit from it. Every investor will take note of it.”
Representing international partners, Yang Yang, Ambassador of China to Guyana, commended the collaboration and quality of work, stating,“The successful commissioning of the new Demerara River Bridge, due to the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency, is not the end but a new beginning.”
Echoing this sentiment, Enea Sermasi, Head of International Business Development at Politecnica, noted,“As engineers, we are proud to have supervised such marvel of modern engineering, and we do recognise that this bridge is more than that. It is a corridor of progress and opportunity. A landmark of national pride and a sign of confidence for generations to come.”
The bridge, which connects Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), is expected to support about 50,000 commuters daily, drastically reducing travel time while facilitating 24-hour movement of both road and river traffic.
Rising 50 meters above the water, it allows large cargo vessels to pass beneath without obstruction — a design that underscores Guyana’s readiness for industrial expansion. The bridge is seen as a “magnet of transformation,” linking two key economic regions and paving the way for the West Bank of Demerara to become a new industrial hub.
Government officials hailed the project as a defining achievement in Guyana’s modern infrastructure drive — one that symbolizes national unity, progress, and a bold step into a new era of development.
