Bus service suspended
In the wake of heavy rain, the Linden-Lethem road has badly deteriorated forcing the major bus service on that route to suspend its operations.
A pothole on the Linden-Lethem trail between Mabura and Kurupukari.
Intraserv Incorporated, which operates on the Georgetown-Lethem route has suspended its operations with immediate effect due to the poor condition of the road, a notice in the newspapers informed. The notice said that as soon as conditions improve, service shall be resumed.
An informed source, with intimate knowledge of the roadway, described the condition of the road as “terrible and deplorable”. The source said that the potholes on the road were getting deeper and deeper as more rain falls in the interior and this was aggravated due to there being no drains to allow the water to run off. ‘It looks like a lake and you have no idea of how deep it is”, the source said.
Stabroek News was informed that vehicles traversing the route have had persons getting out and testing the depth of the water-filled potholes before driving through. According to the source, the worst patch of road was between Mabura and Kurupukari with two spots on that section a virtual trap.
This newspaper has learnt that a bus belonging to Intraserv, which operates 45-seater buses, had broken down on the trail since July 11 and although attempts had been made to repair it, due to the extent of the damage, this proved impossible and arrangements have been made to have it towed out of the area.
This newspaper was told too that trucks laden with fuel, goods and lumber had contributed to the deterioration of the roadway.
Meanwhile, Lethem residents while stating that there was no immediate effect on them yet expressed concern, noting that previously, when the road had deteriorated in the rainy season, the supply of goods, fuel and other items coming from the city had been severely restricted.
MMC has the responsibility for up-keeping a portion of the road and is reportedly trying to effect repairs.
However, according to the source, the portion with major deterioration is not the responsibility of that company and the Ministry of Works has been informed of the situation.
Stabroek News was told too that several “big” buses from Brazil were expected to make the overland journey to Guyana for Carifesta and they would have to travel through the said trail but in light of the current state of the road, concern has been expressed about whether this is possible.
That is not a road look like a track going into the back dam , no wonder the development of the hinterland is moving at a slow pace , Visit some countries Next to us and see the roads going into the Rain forest they are pitched all the way we are Humming about a road for how many years now, when will that be real?
A good example of the inabilities of a couuntry to maintain a road. We have to learn quick if we are to progress and keep up with the Brasilian tourists that are being told of the great things Guyana has to offer. Need to be one step ahead!
This is the road this government wants tourists to see!
Shameful is putting it mildly.
oh,boy! The question of taxaion to gain revenue,and the slow pace of tourist development to attract people.Our infracstructure have been distroyed by neglect.
it will take time to rebuild.its a question of priority,ha,ha and which priority first.
good luck.
I was hoping to go home with a team of my coleagues from several parts of the world to show them the Guyana I always boast about but it seem like I also have to attain the services of a boat captain. Still think they will have fun though, the state of the road may or may not add to the excitement, however I am still thinking about fineman and others with similar bad habbits.
For the last five years the situation has always been the same. Every rainy season means terrible roads and damaged bridges.
Up to now a solution can’t be found.
And imagine that within a few weeks/months the Takutu Bridge is to be opened. Is this the road that we’re going to offer to our neighbours for large sclae tourism and investments?
The difference between the Brazilain road network and Guyana’s is stark. When in Brazil, the road is paved up to the bridge. As soon as you disembark on the Guyanese side you are met with potholed laterite and slush. The roads in Lethem are no different. And the road to Georgetown is now impassable.
…….. ppl ! ppl ! ,, the road is in the “rain” forest ,,,,, an if we din struggling to pay back de $2 billion USD,, we might have been able to buy all de tings needed to
to mek a usable road ,,,,,,, anyway doan pay me no mind caz dis is juss my perception !,,,1 of the reasons the road is like it is ,, is there are not enuff resources to manage the road if it’s paved ,, look at the mindlessness that is every day unfolding on the roads on the coast ,,,, can ur faculty of imagination take u to the untold crime and catastrophy that will result if there is a paved way to escape ????????????????? ! the cocaine mules will make speedier trips ,, !!
bgsbny, OK I get it……The road should be left unpaved and decrepit in order to (1) reduce traffic fatalities (2) deny crimminals a convenient escape route and (3) Stem the tide of the cocaine traffic.
Brilliant strategies all!
bgsbny …I must agree though that maintaing an all-weather paved road, could be a challenge beyond our current capabilities. The Brazillians can tell of the experience of the jungle reclaiming roads almost as soon as they were built and having to perform constant maintenance on them to keep them open.
…. ah like yuh style ,, ure a one act play all done by urself ,, music ,, singing and dancing all done by u urself !,, all unfettered ! nice to be in harmony with urself !
an ah hope ah en interfering with ur thoughts on the “mules” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
which comes first? roads in the interior,or roads in the city and rural areas?……cars dont use those roads..its heavy duty vehicles like tractors,trucks and four wheel drives.and the road is made of sand and loom,and it runs through the rain forests, so what do you expect…years ago the road from the airport was worst than that in the interior…….look at it now…….things are being addressed, but in order of priority/necessity….dont blame the govt for everything…they are progressing…at least better than the PNC.
Gopie you are right no need to fix that road ,the President have the rain forest up for Sale .
gopie…still have our head in the sand.
Who is the regime is power today?
Who is the regime getting all the funds from UK, USA, Canada, et al.
GET REAL!!!
I was on that road recently and we had to turn back it’s not for the faint of heart or ill equipped.
Be prepared for the voyage to Lethem as if you are going on a 3 day camping trip. Some adventurous tourists may even enjoy the ’sticky safari’ if properly prepared
Its about time this road was done properly ……its a joke .. Brazil please take the step and help us tar that road so more brazilians can come to guyana please …and i can go to brazil when i come to guyana ..and will the right honourable mr jagdeo please let lula tar the road all the way to georgetown like he wants to …stop pussy footing about ..