Transformation of the Palmyra to Moleson Creek road on the Corentyne into a four-lane carriageway is scheduled to begin in August.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), this was announced by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, during discussions on Thursday with members of the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce.
The minister informed the meeting that the project has been segmented into three lots, with the contract for road paving already finalised. “An Indian company is doing two lots and that should be commencing anytime around August 26”.
Lot One, which will begin from Canje Bridge to Johns, is valued at $3,218,817,060, while Lot Two, commencing from Bloomfield to Number 54 Village, is valued at $2,986,009,355. Lot Three, continuing from Number 55 Village to Moleson Creek, is yet to be awarded to a contractor.
Edghill pointed out that while the contractor is responsible for the design of the project, the ministry has conducted its own evaluation studies and design. He also shared that an alignment was discovered during these studies which traverses virgin land and bypasses inhabited areas. However, it is more costly when compared to upgrading the existing alignment.
He further noted that the existing route faces congestion points at Rose Hall and Corriverton that cannot be expanded, therefore the construction of bypasses is being considered. Meanwhile, contracts for the upgrading of the 99 structures along the carriageway have been signed and work has begun.
It was also noted that contracts for the relocating of utilities necessary for the construction of the road have also been finalised. These utilities include Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co Ltd (GTT), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), and Guyana Water Inc (GWI).
Edghill related that the utilities relocation, particularly for GWI, has faced delays due to limited space that will cease to exist once the thoroughfare is expanded to four lanes. “We have to be able to get the civil works contractor and the utility contractor to operate together because we would have to establish a utility corridor that will allow for cable operators, water, telephone, and electricity.”
