President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced early Thursday that commuters will be able to travel on the new Demerara River Bridge at the beginning of September, as final structural and auxiliary works are nearing completion.
“Very early in September, we’ll be driving on and off the bridge,” President Ali declared during a visit to the site, where he witnessed the final concrete pour needed to connect the western and eastern sides of the bridge. With this significant milestone, he confirmed that the bridge is now structurally complete.
In a celebratory atmosphere marked by fireworks, Dr. Ali noted that some finishing touches, including paving and other auxiliary features, are still required. He reassured the public that rigorous testing, including load assessments, is being conducted throughout the construction process. Work on the connecting roads on both sides of the bridge is also ongoing.
The new US$260 million four-lane bridge is designed to replace the existing Demerara Harbour Bridge and will operate 24/7, accommodating vehicles of all sizes and weights, with a maximum speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour. It is expected to serve over 50,000 commuters daily, significantly enhancing transportation across the region.
Additionally, President Ali mentioned that engineers are currently evaluating the future use of the existing bridge. “We still have to remove the old bridge… we have engineers now studying the possibility of where we take the sections or the entire bridge,” he explained to reporters.
As excitement builds for the new bridge opening, it promises to be a major advancement in Guyana’s infrastructure landscape.
Mahaicony Man Drowns While Bathing in River at Lime Tree Backdam
