According to the Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) the project entailed installing 70 modern street lights from the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge to Canal Number One Polder. Nigel Erskine, Traffic Safety Engineer at the ministry said the exercise started two weeks ago and is 70% completed. He said the lights will be operational within two weeks.
The Region Three area had not had any street lights installed for many years. Residents of communities along the route are appreciative of the project as it will make the area safer. Street lights are also being installed in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, GINA said. This $11M project is 90% complete.
According to the release on October 30, a contract was inked for the installation of 358 street lights along populated areas from Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika, East Bank Essequibo. The resources are being mobilized for the project that will last for six months. Erskine said the project is well underway as the physical aspect of the work will soon start and the lights will be installed before the end of December.
Meanwhile, improved road markings and road signs including reflectors have been installed in areas that are not densely populated. The ministry will also be installing street barriers around critical turns on the East Bank and East Coast Demerara. On the Coast the project will cost $36M and the barriers will be erected in areas such as Coldingen, Hope, Unity, Atlanticville, Ogle, Plaisance and Bachelor’s Adventure, while the work on the East Bank will cost $44M and will be done at Craig, Timehri and Friendship.