The Ministry of Housing and Water yesterday awarded contracts to the tune of $13.3 billion in 12 lots for the construction of an alternative four-lane highway between Eccles and Great Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara which is expected to ease chronic, daily traffic congestion on the stretch.
These new four lanes will complement and connect with the four-lane highway from Eccles, on the East Bank to Mandela Avenue, Georgetown which is currently being constructed.
The project will see the construction of 9.4 kilometres of reinforced concrete roads, 12 heavy-duty bridges, a culvert, and 12 kilometers of drains, Permanent Secretary (PS) Andre Ally yesterday outlined.
He informed that works will be done by 12 contractors and are expected to last between 15-18 months.
“At the Ministry of Housing and Water, we tried to execute our projects as efficiently as possible. As such, we assured that the design and procurement of this project commenced two months ago. The project was secured using a national competitive bidding process where 34 bidders expressed an interest. The project was opened on November 4. The evaluation report was subsequently completed… and received cabinet’s ‘no objection’ for this project. Here we are today to effect the contract signing for 12 blocks,” Ally said.
According to the PS, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the agency responsible for the project, expects all contractors to mobilise materials and machinery to the site and commence work immediately. He informed the contractors that the project officers at the agency stand ready to assist and should be immediately informed of any unforeseen challenges.
Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal yesterday urged contractors to be innovative and strategic in their approach and delivery of work. Noting that “time is of the essence,” he called on them to look at a work schedule that will go beyond the 8 am to 4.30 pm.
Just a few weeks ago, at a meeting with contractors, President Irfaan Ali urged that they revise their work models and consider undertaking work during the night.
Croal in his address, asserted that the construction of these new alternative roads will not only improve the lives of 20,000 residents from the East Bank Corridor, but also create new opportunities for commercial activities and access to the new housing schemes that are being opened up in the area.
“The government is fully committed to bring relief to the residents within the catchment area in the shortest time possible,” Croal stated as he made reference to the traffic woes commuters face daily on the East Bank.
He also urged contractors to ensure that all occupational health and safety guidelines are in place and being followed. And in addition, they must provide sanitisers and all necessary facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“To skimp on these can be to the detriment of the project and welfare of your workers… Should you adhere to these guidelines I am sure that you will have a successful project,” he opined.
Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues in her brief address said that signing a contract days before Christmas speaks to her government’s seriousness about delivering projects to improve the lives of Guyanese.
She sad that once completed there will be a dramatic reduction in the traffic congestion on the East Bank.
She emphasised that the contractors will be held to the December 31 deadline – days away – for the completion of the Mandela Avenue-to-Eccles phase of the road while noting that the contractors are working around the clock. Rain has resulted in some delays as the project was originally scheduled to be completed by November 2021.
The project, which is the brainchild of President Ali, aims to bring relief to thousands affected by traffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara. Earlier this year, the president had announced that the government will be constructing a new road link connecting communities on the East Bank of Demerara and providing an alternative route to the current East Bank Highway.
This link is different from the Ogle to Eccles/Diamond four-lane bypass road which is being funded by the Indian Government.
The proposed main access road from Eccles to Mandela Avenue measures 2.8 kilometers. The eastern carriageway will convey south‐bound traffic from Mandela Avenue to Eccles, and the western carriageway will convey north‐bound traffic from Eccles to Mandela Avenue.
Along the road currently under construction, there will be intersections at Aubrey Barker Road, and Cane View Avenue, in South Ruimveldt Gardens. These intersections will be restricted to right turns, a decision he stated, that will help to enhance traffic flow. It will also feature 12 bridges, a median with lights as well as pedestrian and cycle lanes. It was also pointed out that the road will take the rigid pavement design and will be constructed using the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials handbook.
