The New Demerara River Bridge is set to be commissioned on Sunday, 5th October, President Irfaan Ali has confirmed to News Source.

The bridge is expected to go into full use by the very next morning.

Load testing has been completed on the bridge and with the approach roads completed on both sides, the Government is moving ahead with the commissioning of the project. Construction work on the bridge began in May 2023, although plans for the bridge were first announced under the previous Government in 2017.

The bridge is seen as a hallmark project of the current Government, and it replaces the old Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is a floating bridge that was opened in 1978.

The four-lane bridge is 2.65 kilometers in length and has a lifespan of 100 years. It connects Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara.

The high span bridge allows for unobstructed river traffic. It was built at a cost of more than US$260 Million.

In an interview with News Source last week, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill said the new bridge will result in a reduction of travel time for commuters since there will be no more long waiting lines for river traffic.

“This is a signal that President Mohamed Irfaan Ali led Administration is delivering what they told the people that they will do and this is only good for Guyana, and so now we must move on to build the Berbice Bridge, the Corentyne Bridge, the bridge at Mackenzie-Wismar, we must build the bridge at Kurupukari and continue to do the great work we are doing in the country to modernise and transform Guyana”, Edghill said.

Edghill said he has no doubt that the commute for many drivers will improve with the new bridge. He said road users simply need to observe the rules of the road, adding that work is being done along with the Traffic Department and other agencies to ensure safe use of the roadways.

During a recent visit to the bridge, President Ali said Guyana has achieved an incredible piece of infrastructure with the completion of the project, which eh credited to team work and hard work.

Related posts:

New Demerara River Bridge set for opening before end of September -assures President Ali New Demerara River Bridge to open to traffic in September -says President Ali President not happy with pace of works for connecting roads for new Demerara River Bridge; No work extensions to be granted New Demerara River Bridge gets extended completion date; Costs likely to increase