December 5 ,2020
A total of 20 companies, a majority of which are from China, have tendered expressions of interest (EoIs) for the design and build of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge.
A special tender opening was held on Friday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) headquarters as the Ministry of Public Works opened expressions of interest for the project.
Prior to the proposals being opened, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, who was present at the tender opening, stated that staff at NPTAB retrieved some 42 packages from the tender box.
Meanwhile, Minister Ashni Singh, who has responsibility for the Finance Ministry, which has oversight of NPTAB, told those present at the tender opening that the day was historic as they witnessed an unprecedented level of interest in the major infrastructural project.
In late September the government had advertised for EoIs for the prequalification process to design-build the new Demerara Harbour Bridge with available financing options. The notice for the EoI explain-ed that the Ministry of Public Works wished to embark on the construction of a new four-lane, high-span fixed bridge in the vicinity of the current location and which terminates at Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara. “The new design of the Demerara Harbour Bridge will not require opening or retraction to allow for maritime traffic and will be built with a life span of at least 50 years,” it noted.
Previously, President Irfaan Ali had said that the new bridge would be a very high one standing at minimum 50 meters high or as high as or higher than the Marriott Hotel to facilitate the clearance for vessels.