US$35.1M contract signed for new Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge

The Government today signed a US$35.1M contract with the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited for the construction of a new bridge across the Demerara River in Linden, Region 10.

The four-lane bridge, which will replace the existing Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge, will be 220 meters long, and will have a number of road safety and lighting features.

President Irfaan Ali, who witnessed the signing of the contract in the presence of the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, said the construction of the bridge must not be viewed in isolation, explaining that it will aid in the advancement of trade between Guyana and its southern neighbour Brazil.

“This bridge is linked to the 45 bridges we are doing along the Linden-Lethem Highway that will create immense opportunity in positioning Region 10 as the engineering and mechanical hub, and a transport and logistics hub not only for mining but also for the trade that would exist between Brazil and Guyana, and in Caricom,” President Ali told residents of Linden, who had gathered at the western end of the existing bridge in West Watooka to witness the signing.

The President said since taking office in August 2020, his Administration has invested heavily in the development of Linden, Region 10 and that has resulted in growth in the Agriculture Sector and Bauxite Industry.

He said due to developments in and around Linden and Region 10, the use of the existing Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge has doubled.

“In 2020, the vehicles traversing this bridge, the number of times vehicles traversing this bridge, was 768,000. Today, we have more than 1.5 million crossing, almost doubling, almost doubling the crossing from 2020 to now. What is the reason for that? It is because something is happening. Something positive is happening. Positive change is taking place, investment is creating wealth, wealth is creating opportunity, opportunity is creating improvement, improvement is creating prosperity,” President Ali said.

He said to complement the construction of the new bridge, and the ongoing construction of the Linden to Lethem Highway, the Government will inject more than $50 Billion into the Linden-Soesdyke Highway to facilitate much needed repairs and upgrades.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who was among Government Ministers that joined the President in Linden for the signing, said the signing of the multimillion-dollar contract is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the people of Linden.

Like President Ali, he said the construction of the new bridge is not a standalone project, submitting that it is also linked to the deep-water harbour in Berbice, and a number of critical road networks in Regions 4, 9 and 10.

The Public Works Minister was keen on pointing out that the previous Administration had intended to build a new two-lane bridge across the river at a cost of US$30M. He said today, Lindeners are getting a four-lane bridge for US$5M more.

“The previous government proposed for the building of a two-lane bridge across the Wismar, Linden area. Today, we are building a four-lane bridge. And the reason why we are building a four-lane bridge, is not just to say, we did better than the previous government – that’s not in our agenda. The reason why we are building a four-lane bridge is because the PPP/C Administration let by President Ali has grown the economy, has expanded our possibility and the demand has moved beyond a two-lane to a four-lane,” Minister Edghill said.

The new bridge is scheduled to be completed within two years, and the contractor – China Railway Construction Corporation Limited – has committed to working in conformity with local and international safety standards.

Region 10 Members of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira and Devin Sears, along with the Regional Chairman, Deron Adams were among the Regional officials present at the signing ceremony and took part in the turning of the sod for the new bridge.