A notice from Guyana’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) signalled the start of construction for the country’s new US$260 million Demerara River crossing. The completed structure is expected to be delivered within two years.
“As a result, an exclusive zone (Work Area) is being affected; with two transit sections for vessels in the vicinity of the retractor and high spans of the existing Demerara Harbour Bridge,” MARAD outlined.
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The Agency said construction activities will be conducted south of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, in the vicinity of the West Bank to East Bank of the Demerara River, starting May 16.
Contractor – J.V. China Railway Construction Corporation (International) will hand over to Guyana a four-lane, high-span, cable-stay bridge structure with a 100-year lifespan.
The structure will connect at Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara and La Grange on the West Bank. It is expected to be a hybrid design at a length of 2.65 kilometres. It will be replacing the existing Demerara Harbour Bridge which has outlived its 40-year lifespan; a structure that has been marred by breakdowns and accidents over the years.
The new bridge will be instrumental in supporting the oil and gas sector in Guyana, as companies establish facilities on the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara, including the Gas-to-Energy project.
It is also expected to improve traffic jam woes which have plagued travel between Regions Three and Four for years.
