With growing complaints from motorists about the impact of the repair works along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway and the damages being done to their vehicles, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill traveled along the highway this morning to observe the works and meet with the contractors and stakeholders.

The Minister said he intends to meet with the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force about readjusting the speed limit along the highway during its construction period.

He said although the highway is under construction, many drivers continue to speed along it, posing a threat to other drivers and the construction workers.

“We would have to work with the Traffic Chief and agree on a new speed limit for construction and we will have to put up those signs in the interest of ensuring compliance but the big issue here right now is that people has to slow down,” Mr. Edghill noted during an early morning visit to the construction site.

Last year, a US$161 million contract was signed for the reconstruction of the 73km highway. As part of the reconstruction, the entire highway will be dug up and replaced with new bases to cater for the increase in the number of vehicles that traverse the highway daily. 

Against the background Mr. Edghill said speeding on a highway that has been dug up poses serious risks.

“You can’t be speeding in the construction zone, because the people who are working on that zone are at risk but you are also putting yourself at risk by speeding on a surface that is not completed and that has crusher runs or stones can cause pebbles to fling up on the air hit people windscreen or raise dust, etc,so the first thing we have to do here is to get everybody to calm down and slow down” Edghill stated.

Mr. Edghill said the aim of his visit was to engage stakeholders on how works can proceed smoothly without disruptions while maintaining safety.

Many drivers said the works should have been done in phases and on different sides of the highway, to cater for the regular flow of traffic.

The Soesdyke-Linden Highway was built and opened in 1969 by then Prime Minister, the late Forbes Burnham.

Over the years, more than US$25 Million has been spent on its rehabilitation. It is the key roadway linking the coastland and the hinterland, through the town of Linden.

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