-to allow for proper setting of concrete
The completion of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge has now been pushed back from March 31 to August 31 of this year – a five-month delay – to allow for sections of the concrete structure to properly set, a process which cannot be rushed, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill says.
“We have some construction that needs to be done that you just can’t shorten the time because you have to have curing time for concrete and all the rest of it. We have gone through everything and the project team and the consultants and the contractor, we have agreed on a time schedule that nothing [goes] beyond August 31,” Edghill yesterday said.
There had been no word from the government on this new delay until President Irfaan Ali adverted to it in his New Year’s address.
Ali stated that the new Demerara Harbour Bridge would be operational by the end of this year. “By the end of 2025, the new Demerara River Bridge will be operational, and the East Bank to East Coast Bypass Road will be completed within months.”
The contract to build the estimated US$260 million bridge was signed on May 25th of 2022 between the Government of Guyana and China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Company Limited (CRCCL). This was after months of technical and financial negotiations with the most responsive bidder – China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) – fell through.
CRCCL and its partner, China Railway Construc-tion Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Company Limited, who tendered for the project in a joint venture, were then selected.
In May of last year, works on the bridge was around 45 per cent completed with consultants, Italian company, Polytechnica, reporting that as at April 28, the figure was 43.7 per cent.
Stabroek News understands that the consultants have emphasised that the works cannot be rushed and the new August deadline was achievable. The delays were a result of the stalemate between the state and residents of Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara over the compulsory acquisition process which made its way to court.
Sources have also informed that contractors should have been given the area since June of last year in order to begin casting and curing of that part of the bridge, with Italian consultants adamantly stating that the works “just cannot be rushed.”
This is the third completion date given with the initial date set at December 31 of last year, which was then moved to March 31 of this year.
When questioned about the reasons for the delay and the project coming in at March 31, Edghill had responded that it ranged from a number of issues but primarily had do to with delayed shipping that saw the company requesting force majeure for those periods lost. “The Panama Canal had low water and they had to go through the Cape Verde route to bring material in. They had what is called force majeure issues and that was calculated as no fault of the contractor.”
He further noted, “There are many things that account for this; the approval of materials by the technical people too. For example, we had to send the consultant and our project people to China to visit the company where some of the materials are being [produced], to ensure the quality [was up to standard]. And when they get the sign off, only then could they procure. So things like that took time.”
To obtain work permits for personnel working on the bridge also took time. “Also, the Chinese of themselves they didn’t have all their personnel in country, that is their technical people,” Edghill explained.
Sand for use in forming some parts of the structure had to be externally sourced since they required a specific grade, Edghill also pointed out.
However, the company has been able to source all of the materials needed, including special grades and types of stone, with government facilitating the speedy clearance when necessary.
“All their materials they have been able to get. We have been facilitating their clearance. They have had to get certain kinds of stone, they have had to get sand; a quality required that was not readily available in Guyana. All that they needed we have provided; the necessary logistical and administrative framework to facilitate this,” the Public Works Minister said.
The 2.6-kilometre crossing, being built by China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Ltd in a joint venture with China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Company Ltd and China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Company Ltd, will link Nandy Park on the East Bank Demerara, with La Grange on the West Bank Demerara. It will have four lanes, with a total width of 23.6 metres including the median and the shoulders, providing sufficient room for safe and effective traffic flow.
Edghill had explained that works are ongoing simultaneously on both the east and west sides.
The temporary structure was completed since early this year. He had told reporters on January 5, “Based on my inspection and the reports I have received today from the contractor, 100 per cent of the temporary structure is completed, which I am happy for. And they are now putting in the platforms, which are required…”
He informed too, that the bridge was being constructed in compliance with international engineering standards.
Project Engineer Patrick Thompson, alongside another Ministry of Public Works employee, and a consultant from Polytechnica, travelled to China back in November/December of 2023 for two weeks to inspect all facilities where the materials are being fabricated before shipment.
The Minister had noted that the contracted company was working 24 hours/seven days per week on the bridge project.
Edghill emphasised that due to the magnitude and scope of the work being undertaken, it was important for the contracted company to have sufficient materials. He noted that Polytechnica is the consultancy firm overlooking the infrastructural development to ensure excellence.
Safety was also underscored, as Edghill said that they had to follow stringent measures relating to occupational health and safety, and he assured that so far, the company is abiding by these rules with the understanding that safety is paramount.
Of the 371 people employed to work on the project, 180 are Chinese, 98 Guyanese, 85 Venezuelans, one Cuban, five Trinidadians, and two Nigerians. Notably, of the 371, 90 are indirect, while 281 are direct labour.