His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali inspected ongoing works on the landmark four-lane thoroughfare connecting Sheriff Street to Mahaica earlier today.
During the site visit, President Ali was given a tour of the roadworks and provided with an update on the project, which is 77 per cent completed.
The new US$192 million thoroughfare, being built by China Railway First Group Co. Limited (CRFGC), forms part of the nation’s expanding road network. It is designed to offer commuters significantly improved connectivity options and to eliminate traffic congestion.
“We are not completely satisfied with the pace of work,” the President explained, “but some of it is outside the hands of the contractors. As you know, we have to balance disruptions with development.”
One of the major challenges is the repositioning of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility lines and infrastructure. However, works are expected to commence shortly, with the go-ahead being given on the spot to the contractors by GPL and engineers from the Ministry of Public Works.
The new utility infrastructure forms part of the electricity provider’s system upgrade to meet future demands and improve efficiency on the national grid for power distribution.
The Sheriff Street to Mahaica road project not only offers a new option to road users but will also open up land for trade and commerce. The road will support access to the EnmoreIndustrial Zone, the LBI commercial/light industrial hub, and surrounding housing schemes.
Additionally, President Ali announced that the next phase of the project—Mahaica to Rosignol—is currently in the design phase.
The four-lane road complements the existing East Coast Demerara Highway. The additional lanes will significantly reduce traffic congestion along the East Coast corridor, improving travel times and road safety for thousands of commuters. The project forms phase two of the Annandale to Mahaica and Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau initiative.
It measures approximately 30.8 kilometres in length, with an additional 5.3 kilometres allocated for the upgrade and widening of the Belfield to Orange Nassau public road.
The project also involves the construction and widening of 76 bridges and 42 culverts, along with the installation of 28.32 kilometres of concrete drains on both sides of the roadway.