EBD public road to reopen at midnight as works progress ahead of schedule on new Demerara River Bridge

The section of the East Bank Demerara (EBD) public road that was closed off to facilitate works on the new Demerara River Bridge will reopen at midnight, according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.

The EBD corridor, between Nandy Park and Red Road in Providence, was initially slated to be closed from April 5 into the early hours of April 7 to allow for the installation of the girder across the public road at Peter’s Hall.

However, the works were completed ahead of time.

“We’d be able to give you back this thoroughfare at midnight tonight. So, we’re ahead of schedule… So, persons coming from the [Cheddi Jagan International] Airport, persons going to the airport, persons traversing [and] living in this thoroughfare should take note that the East Bank highway from the Harbour Bridge to Red Road will be fully reopened to traffic,” Edghill told reporters at the construction site this afternoon.

According to the minister, this early reopening is a result of the hard work and dedication of the teams – the contractor, China Railway Construction (International) Limited; the supervisory firm, Politecnica and the ministry’s technical personnel.

“I want to thank the Guyanese people for their patience. We had to make a significant interruption to get this piece of work done.”

“We knew that an interruption of this carriageway would cause great inconvenience, and a lot of planning was put into it. The execution was seamless, without incident, and we’re very very happy about that,” he noted.

The Public Works Minister explained that despite the delays encountered with residents of Peter’s Hall who had to be relocated, significant progress has been made “in record time” since the site was handed over to the contractor late last year.

Those delays have pushed back the completion date of the bridge to August 2025 – a deadline that Edghill is confident would be met.

“We’re advancing the works, and for those of us who are wondering if the bridge is going to be finished by the deadline, that’s what we’re working towards… We’ve worked with the Chinese contractor and the consultant to increase their teams.”

“This is a transformational project that all Guyanese are awaiting. People just can’t wait but we have to do it right, we have to make it safe and we have to ensure that we’re getting value for money, and we’re doing that every single day.”

“So, on this occasion, I’m not out here to ask for your patience with delays, I’m here to tell you that you’re getting it back earlier than anticipated, thanks to my entire team,” the minister noted.

Once completed, the new bridge and extensive road upgrades along the East Bank of Demerara are expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion and travel time.