MOPW Addresses East Bank Corridor Rehabilitation
September 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Public Works has outlined a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the heavily trafficked East Bank Demerara thoroughfare.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry, for years, this vital roadway has faced significant strain due to the high volume of vehicles, including heavy trucks.
This has led to structural damage in the form of bulges and depressions in various areas, which has made full rehabilitation a complex task.
The road serves as a critical artery for commerce and industry, making any large-scale work challenging without disrupting traffic flow.
To manage this, the Government of Guyana has constructed a bypass road through Grove-Diamond, connecting to Heroes Highway.
This bypass allows traffic to continue while reconstruction work is undertaken on the section between Grove and Diamond.
The government’s comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the East Bank Demerara Public Road, covering Mocha to Timehri, is divided into four key sections:
• Mocha to Diamond
This segment will undergo rehabilitation funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The works include pothole patching, milling, repairing local failures, and applying an asphalt concrete overlay. The bill of quantities has been completed and is under review.
• Grove
Reconstruction of this section is financed by the Government of Guyana and is currently in the procurement stage. The project includes excavation, backfilling, installation of a geosynthetic fabric, and the application of an asphalt concrete layer. A bypass road from Diamond to Good Success is already operational for light vehicles.
• Good Success to Timehri
This stretch is scheduled for rehabilitation under an IDB-financed Design and Build contract. The contract has been signed, and designs for Section B have been submitted for approval. Work will begin after the expected approval in two weeks and will include road widening, structure rehabilitation, street lighting installation, and pedestrian walkways.
• Buzz Bee Dam to Friendship
A new four-lane highway is under construction along the Heroes Highway alignment. Bids are being evaluated, and the project is funded by the Government of Guyana. The government envisions extending this highway to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway in the future.
The Ministry expressed disappointment with individuals politicizing the issue, despite budget allocations being approved for this project in the National Assembly.
The ministry emphasized that the government is actively addressing the country’s road and transport network to improve national connectivity.
While the final results of these projects are highly anticipated, the government stressed the importance of the process involved in delivering a safer, more efficient roadway for all.
