Works on a new four-lane bridge across the Demerara River in Linden are set to begin this year, according to the Public Works Ministry.

During a recent press conference, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill said the mobilization for the construction of the new bridge will begin early this year.

The new Mackenzie-Wismar bridge is estimated to cost US$35 Million, and when completed, it will replace the existing two-land bridge.

“The new four-lane bridge at Wismar to link Mackenzie and Wismar will begin work. Monies have been provided, contractor identified and we are ready to go, this wasn’t a campaign promise but we have gone beyond,” Edghill tells a news briefing.

The government has engaged China Railway Construction Limited for the project.

Under the previous government, an international engineering company had provided four possible designs for the bridge, which included provisions for two-lane traffic and pedestrian walkways. But the PPP government had long said when compared with the earlier design, the proposed model, which includes four lanes, will cater for even more traffic, and will be built at a lower cost.

At it relates to the Linden- Mabura-Hill road, the Minister reported that physical progress is at 25%. He said the Government was hoping that works would have been progressing at a faster rate.

“They have completed 2,845 meters of drains; 18,960 meters of cement stabilize sub-base. 16,900 meters of cement stabilize base, and 16, 330 meters of Asphaltic concrete,” the Minister noted.

As it relates to the Corentyne River Bridge, Minister Edghill reported that the procurement process has been completed and that the signed joint evaluation of both Guyana and Suriname is before a team for final evaluation, and once that evaluation has been completed and the two sides agree to it, then the process will be cleared for construction to begin.

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