Works progressing fairly well on East Coast four-lane road -Engineer
Georgetown, GINA, April 3, 2012
Government has been grappling with the urgent demands for infrastructural improvement and enhancements as part of its thrust of creating efficient, safe and reliable national and arterial road networks throughout the country, even as vehicle importation and usage are on the increase.
Design Engineer of the Ministry of Public Works, Kelvin Clarke in a recent interview said that the preparatory works currently being executed for the East Coast Demerara four-lane highway are progressing fairly well.
“In lot one of the project, 60% of the works are completed in Better Hope…in lot 2, we are 40% completed…works for the drains have started in Montrose and are about 500 feet in La Bonne Intention,” Clarke said.
A Section of the 60% completed works at Better Hope under Lot One
He added that the next phase to be completed involves back filling with white sand to have a surface of stabilised white sand for future road development.
“A feasibility study is currently being undertaken for the entire road from Better Hope to Belfield…based on the findings of that study, construction will commence…we recognise that a section of the road is not illuminated …we are working towards re-engineering the system…when a portion of the road is completed, street lights will be installed for the area,” Clarke said as he pleaded with the public to be patient.
“I am asking the public to bear with us as sometimes the contractor, in the execution of his work, will cause hold up to the flow of traffic which can be disgusting, particularly during peak hours,” Clarke said.
A Section of the works at La Bonne Intention under Lot Two of the Project
The preparatory works for the expansion of the East Coast Demerara four-lane road commenced late last year with the construction of the first lot being undertaken by Falcon Transportation and Construction Services to the tune of $468.2M, whilst lot two is being executed by Dipcon Engineering Services at a cost of $571.6M.
The scope of the work entails: clearing of the right of way; placing of a white sand base; construction of re-enforced concrete drains to either side of the road; and the construction of temporary timber bridges at key locations to facilitate access during the construction period.
The Guyana Government secured the sum of US$900,000 to prepare the design for the road expansion from the Kuwaiti Government last year.
The 2012 budget allocates $11.8 B to sustain and improve the country’s roads and bridges’ network, of which $10.9 B will be spent on roads and $964 M on bridges.
Cement work in progress
Of that amount, $2.2B has been allocated for the upgrade, modernisation and expansion of the four lane access road to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the Sheriff/Mandela Roadway, the extension of the four - lane highway from Providence to Diamond and the widening of the highway from Better Hope to Golden Grove on the East Coast Demerara.