PREPARATORY work is being done for the construction of the new Demerara River Bridge as the government paces ahead with what is hailed as the largest public infrastructure project undertaken in Guyana.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill told reporters that several administrative tasks are being ironed out to facilitate the full compliance for the terms and conditions of the contract, which was signed to the value of US$260 million contract.
“At this stage after signing a contract, there are administrative things that must be done to facilitate full compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract,” he said.
Further explaining, “You have to get bonds in place; you have to get the mobilised equipment; you have to get sites for storage of equipment; all of that is work in progress.
“And as far as we are aware as a government, we expect full compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract.”
The minister explained that before the heavy construction begins, the preliminary works must first be completed.
“For most of us as Guyanese, a project starts when you see a piece of heavy equipment is running a pile, or grading or something.
“But before we get there, you have to do surveys, you have to do geotechnical testing, you have to do the soils, [and] you have to do alignments. All of these have to go in place before you see the heavy machines.”
Following a process of competitive bidding and rigorous evaluation, a joint venture of Chinese companies, led by China Railway Construction Corporation, emerged successful in the procurement process and, back in May, signed a contract with the government of Guyana.
The project initially went out to public tender and attracted some 14 bidders who were pre-qualified for the construction of the bridge.
Eventually, nine firms were pre-qualified and invited to submit proposals. Following several months of engagement, five of the prequalified bidders submitted proposals on October 21, 2021.
The new bridge is expected to be 2.65 kilometres with the width of the driving surface being around 23.6 metres, with two carriageways and four lanes.
The bridge is a hybrid design with the high span or navigation span having a cable stay design. The vertical height of the fixed bridge is said to be constructed at some 50 metres from the mean highest watermark which means that large size vessels would be able to pass freely under the bridge.
The bridge, which is said to have a design lifespan of 100 years, is expected to also have cycling lanes, among other features.
The signing of the contract for construction of the new bridge was the culmination of almost 10 years of planning dating back to March 2013 when former Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn commissioned a pre-feasibility study to examine the pertinence of the construction of a new fixed bridge across the Demerara River.
From 2013 to 2022, the average daily traffic across the demerara river bridge currently in place, he noted, increased from approximately 13,781 vehicles to some 22,000 vehicles in both directions.
While the increased traffic has caused congestion and frustration for stranded commuters, the project is expected to ease those woes.
