The US$106.4 million Ogle-to-Eccles road is 81.5% completed with Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill stating that there have been no issues with contractors and expressing confidence that the road will be done on time and to specification.
“The Ogle to Eccles [road] project is 81.5% completed. We should have been at 88%, so we are almost on par. The collaboration with all stakeholders…contractor, residents in the communities…all, has been excellent. There is no issue at this time but we just have to time manage,” Edghill told Stabroek News when asked for an update last week.
He said that the contractor has had excellent relations with residents in nearby communities and they are openly addressing concerns as they arise.
Over the past week, he said, works were done to some internal community roads to facilitate the diversion of traffic as the contractor plans for full and undisrupted work and the minister had also reached out to residents in the areas to be directly affected. Edghill along with the NDC team, contractors, consultants, and technical staff from his ministry, visited several community streets that will be used as alternative routes.
His ministry had informed of the visit on its website saying that he made stops at Ogle Airport Road, where a roundabout is set to be constructed to connect the Four Lane Highway and the Railway Embankment Expansion Project.
“Minister Edghill personally engaged with residents in the vicinity whose property, or portions of it, will be acquired to facilitate construction. The visit included a walkabout with representatives from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) through neighbouring villages to discuss the upcoming developments,” the post had stated.
Edghill said that there will be some inconvenience but implored residents and commuters to cooperate during this period. “This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the nation’s roadway,” he said.
It was following those consultations with stakeholders, that it was announced that the Ogle Airport Road, from the Rupert Craig Highway to the Railway Embankment, will be closed to traffic to facilitate ongoing work. He noted that the closures and alternatives can be found on the ministry’s website.
“To ensure the smooth flow of traffic, upgrades will be made to Ogle Old Road, Industry Road, and Victoria Road in Plaisance. These upgrades will include the removal of encumbrances from the parapets and the clearing of road shoulders. The bridge currently under construction near the Ogle Airport Bar is expected to be completed within a week. However, the minister has instructed that the bypass be upgraded to an appropriate level to accommodate light vehicle traffic, and this exercise is expected to be completed by tomorrow,” a notice stated.
“Heavy-laden trucks heading east will be required to enter and exit the Railway Embankment at UG Road, while those heading west will enter and exit at [Vryheid’s Lust] Main Road. Police, along with traffic marshals from the contractor, will be on site to provide directions at detours,” it added.
Edghill pointed to a notice on the ministry’s website and in the local newspapers which also informed residents of the work to be done.
“All motorists and pedestrians are advised of temporary traffic disruptions on Rupert Craig Road and Embankment Road. Signage and barricades will be in place to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety near deep excavation areas,” a notice stated.
Motorists and road users travelling from Rupert Craig Road to Ogle Airstrip Road from Georgetown will need to use UG Road to connect to Embankment Road. Road users coming from Mahaica to the Airstrip Road must use Better Hope and connect with Embankment Road.
Contacts for support personnel were given as Safety Engineer Ravi Chandra at 632-0732, Accident Prevention Officer Francis at 600-7276, and Community Liaison Sharon Roopchand at 689-752.
