Ministry looking at other possible arrangements.
As the Ministry of Public Works begins eyeing to commence works on the construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge this year, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has assured Guyanese the current bridge will not be ‘old iron pushed in a corner’. Edghill said his Ministry is currently assessing ways in which the bridge can be used to improve the lives of Guyanese.
When asked about the ways, the Public Works Minister pointed to a number of hinterland communities which the bridge can be used to possibly connect.
Among these areas are the Kwakwani and the Kurupukari crossing,
"it could link leguan and wakenaam those are some of the other discussions being made…but I can tell you it wouldn’t be old iron pushed in a corner it will be properly used for the development of Guyana..."
Edghill said.
However while the Public Works Ministry is looking to sign the contract for the new Harbour Bridge soon, funds are still being spend to rehabilitate the old bridge.
Only recently some $1.2B was spent to repair at least two line spans on the 44 years old Bridge and more is yet to be done according to the Edghill. Those repairs were expected to be finished in December, however those works are now expected to be completed by April.
These works will result in several lengthy closures for at least six to eight times.
In the meanwhile the construction of the new Harbour Bridge will be ongoing, the old one will still serve its purpose to traverse vehicular traffic.
China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. won the bid for the construction of the new Harbour Bridge.
The company proposed they can construct the new Bridge at the cost of US$256.6 million dollars based on the model outline by the Government.
It is intended the bridge will land at Nandy Park on the East Bank to Meter Meen Zorg/La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara.
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