The Ministry of Public Works yesterday notified users of Carifesta Avenue that this main thoroughfare will see major upgrades as part of the government’s transformative infrastructure agenda.
It said in a release that in February 2023, the ministry embarked on public tendering for the Rehabilitation and Upgrade of Carifesta Avenue (Phase 1), and a contract was signed in December 2023.
The scope of works under this phase of the project entails; the construction of concrete drains to the northern side of Carifesta Avenue and the widening of the existing single-lane northern carriageway to allow for two lanes.
According to the release, the northern side was chosen for Phase 1 because the civil works for the southern side are very extensive. These will incorporate revetment and widening works to include an additional westbound lane along Carifesta Avenue.
The ministry’s statement followed a letter in yesterday’s Stabroek News from Timothy Jonas, General Secretary of A New and United Guyana warning of the likely collapse of the southern carriageway of Carifesta into the trench.
He said: “Repeated excavation of the trench along the southern carriageway of Carifesta Avenue over the years has reduced the parapet which should separate that trench from the asphalt road to such a degree that all structural support is eroded.
“It is only a matter of time before subsidence takes its inevitable toll, and the road collapses into the trench, with devastating consequences for commuters. At present, before that collapse, revetment is possible to shore up the trench, to replace the parapet, and to preserve the road. We believe that much of the work can be done from the southern side of the trench, within the National Park, so that traffic is as far as possible only minimally affected. We wait for competent leadership”.
The ministry’s statement yesterday also addressed other work to be done.
It said that Homestretch Avenue will also see major upgrades in an expansion to four lanes. A contract has already been signed for this.
Thomas Lands, another main thoroughfare will also see rehabilitation, providing a vital link from east to west, while Vlissengen Road will see geometric improvements to facilitate turning lanes.
Lamaha Street from Vlissengen Road to Sheriff Street is also being widened and upgraded, along with Conversation Tree (to four lanes). This is to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
Road widening works, the release said, are also taking place on Aubrey Barker Road to accommodate four lanes. This is also being done at Cemetery Road, and even though delayed, works are advancing.
