New asphalt plant to boost road works

Road works around the country will receive a boost with the acquisition of a new asphalt plant by the Public Works Ministry.

Engineering coordinator attached to the ministry’s work services group Leon Goring said the current machine is over 35 years old and has affected the production of asphalted concrete because of its consistent “down times”. However, the ministry intends to keep it in operation.

He said government has expended close to US$169,000 for the Indian made plant which arrived here in July. The cost also covered spares and includes installation and two months training of operators.

So far, the plant has already been installed and tested and has started to produce asphalted concrete. However he said a few things were still to be done before the official commissioning. This, he said, includes the provision of an air conditioning unit for it as well as the construction of a ramp to facilitate the placement of materials into the bin to be used to produce the concrete.

He said that key to the installation was ensuring that it was suitable with respect to environmental issues. As such the plant has been put at the Transport and Harbours East Bank Demerara location.

Goring said the investment for the new plant had to be made since the old one had been affecting the work programme. The new facility will mean a more constant supply of asphalted concrete and will benefit other relevant state agencies like the Central Planning and Housing Authority and the Mayor and City Council.

Material for the production of concrete is sourced from the Toolsie Persaud and B&K quarries, while bitumen is sourced from a local company, SOL.