The East Bank Demerara four-lane expansion project will be completed by the end of September, despite the challenges of materials shortage including asphalt.

Chief Roads and Bridges Officer at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ron Rahaman, said the road expansion project has three components – lots one, two and three. Lots two and three were completed last year while work is ongoing on lot one – Providence to Covent Garden, a length of 2.65 kilometres.

<dl><dt></dt><dd>                                         Ongoing works on the East Bank Demerara road</dd></dl>

Rahaman noted that the project is currently being carried out by BK International Incorporated and General Earth Movers and would see four fully surfaced lanes with road markings, and installation of signs and ‘street lightings’.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson had earlier stated that the project will result in the reduction of vehicular operating costs and accidents, and facilitate smoother traffic flow and reduce travel time on the East Bank corridor.

<dl><dt></dt><dd>                     Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Chief Roads and Bridges Officer, Ron Rahaman</dd></dl>

The project which was rolled out in 2011 and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was executed by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Works Services Group. Back in 2011, the then administration had rolled out the four-lane extension project. The project was awarded to Dipcon Engineering Services at a cost of US$8M which had only completed 59 percent of the contract and then effectively ceased all works in May 2015 – two years after the project was scheduled for a completion date of April 30, 2013.

Following discussions with the contractor, an agreeable settlement was reached on August 16, 2015 and the contract was terminated and is now in the hands of BK International Incorporated and General Earth Movers for the new September 30 deadline. (GINA)