A sum of $10.1 billion has been allocated for roads and bridges this year with $1.8 billion budgeted for upgrading 85 kilometres of existing roadway and the construction of 110 kilometres of new roads from Linden to Amaila Falls.
The Amaila Falls project also includes the building of pontoon crossings across the Essequibo and Kuribrong rivers. Presenting the 2011 Budget to the National Assembly yesterday, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh said that the continued investment in transportation infrastructure is critical, as its continued expansion and modernization play a pivotal role in supporting the economy and in improving quality of life for citizens.
Of the $10.1 billion, $8.2 billion will be spent on roads and $1.9 billion on bridges and, according to the minister, “a number of major transformative projects will commence”.
Last year, the feasibility study and conceptual design for the Linden to Lethem roadway were completed and discussions continue with interested partners regarding funding for the commencement of the construction of the long awaited roadway which would contribute significantly to the transformation of the infrastructure landscape, as well as strengthen ties with Brazil, he said.
Further, the minister said, together with Guyana’s eastern neighbours, government has identified technical teams and completed first round discussions regarding the bridging of the physical divide at the Suriname border which would also see the strengthening of those relations.
He said to further enhance urban and suburban mobility, reduce transportation costs and ease traffic congestion, government has allocated $1.6 billion for the rehabilitation and improvement of the Sheriff Street to Mandela roads, access road to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the continuation of the four lane highway from Providence to Diamond on the East Bank Demerara and to complete the feasibility studies for a four-lane highway from Better Hope to Golden Grove on the East Coast Demerara.
He said work on 16 critical structures will be completed along the East Bank and East Coast highways for which $953 million is budgeted.
Further, $550 million is budgeted for the further upgrade of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which includes the construction of pontoons and rehabilitation of cluster piles. “In addition to physical upgrading of our roads and bridges network, improved safety is an accompanying priority.
To this end, street lighting and road marking are being installed in critical areas along highways in Regions Two, Five and Six,” the minister said.
Further, he said, $1.7 billion has been budgeted this year for the completion of 34.5 kilometres of all weather roads in the Black Bush Polder area and also 19 kilometres of roads in the East and West Canje areas to promote permanent accessibility, improve road safety and reduce transportation costs in this key agricultural zone.
Additionally, $3 billion is also allocated to construct, rehabilitate and maintain urban, rural and hinterland roads with an additional $1.8 billion budgeted for the Amaila road.
The minister recalled that last year, $7.9 billion was expended to improve the country’s roads and bridges network of which $5.9 billion was spent on roads and $2 billion billion on bridges.
Of this amount, $943.2 million was spent to commence reconstruction of an all weather ring road in Black Bush Polder and all weather roads in East and West Canje. Works progressed in 2010 and are expected to be completed later this year which will result in the provision of access to over 18,500 acres of agricultural lands.
In addition, over 300 urban, rural and hinterland roads were rehabilitated and maintained at a cost of $4.1 billion.
Last year also saw $700.5 million being invested in the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the procurement of critical components. In addition, last year saw the completion of nine critical structures at a cost of $894.6 million within Regions Four and Five, the minister added.
