Motorists who use the northern section of Sheriff Street are being advised to be extra cautious and where possible to seek an alternative route as ongoing works for the Road Widening and Upgrade project pick up steam, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure says.
The works are ongoing along Sheriff Street, between the Rupert Craig Highway and David Street.
In a press release, the Ministry said during peak hours—7 am to 9 am and 3 pm to 5 pm–traffic will be monitored to minimise disruptions while road users are advised to, as best as possible, avoid this section of Sheriff Street and use alternative roads in the vicinity of Sheriff Street, including Church Road, Subryanville and David Street, Kitty.
The contract for the works, which is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was awarded more than six months ago to Chinese Company Sinohydro Corporation Limited and works started early last week.
When Stabroek News visited the area on Monday, the drains that run parallel to the road were being dug and according to the engineers present, they were being done to facilitate the replacement of drainage pipes and upgrades to the drainage.
When the works on the drainage are finished, then work will be started on the road, and it will be resurfaced and will remain a two-lane road.
The two-year project encompasses the relocation of utilities, lane and shoulder improvements, placement of sidewalks and paved shoulders, traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage, a pedestrian overhead walkway, culverts, bridges and a roundabout.
As the work progresses along Sheriff Street and reaches Mandela Avenue, the scope of works will be increased as it is planned for the section from along Mandela Avenue straight to the junction at Hunter Street to be resurfaced, widened and turned into a four-lane road that will feature a dividing median.
