Govt promises four-lane highway from Parika to new Demerara Harbour Bridge

Guyanese can expect massive infrastructural transformation and huge spin-off benefits from the construction of a four-lane highway in Region Three, running from the new Demerara Harbour Bridge to Parika.

This is according to President Irfaan Ali when he led a ministerial team and a group of engineers on a tour to examine the possible alignment of the road on Saturday.

“Part of the transformation is about creating new infrastructure, converting low-value land or marginal land into high-value assets and having a development mix that takes into consideration the expansion of agriculture, opening up of tourism opportunities, housing development, industrial development and commercial development,” President Ali stated, according to Department of Public Information release.

The President said the highway is one of the many transformative projects his administration spoke about on the campaign hustings.  A team of local experts from the Ministry of Public Works, the army and engineers will be pulled together to plan the project, he said.
“We are bringing them together to commence the conceptual work in laying out this new highway. We are looking at about 12 miles connecting canal [Number One Polder] to Parika and eventually, on to the Del Conte Road connecting to Bartica,” the President said.
Over the next three weeks, President Ali said alternative locations will be explored, which includes a connection from Timehri to Bartica and the new four-way highway from Timehri to the East Coast.

He further pointed out that the Government is “going to build an amazing future in Guyana and today is a demonstration of that potential. When you talk about opening up of mega farms, helping the livestock industry to target potential middle-east markets, the critics will say it is all talks, where is the land, but you have a perfect demonstration here.”

The President said the project is one in which he hopes members of the Guyanese diaspora will capitalise on and invest.
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill said the alignment of the road will help the Government to achieve its promise of delivering 50,000 house lots. He said it also allows for investment in agriculture, aquaculture, will drive job creation and reduce commuting time.
“This is working in the interest of ensuring Guyanese get what we promised them. This is working to ensure that what was only a vision, action is put into it that it becomes a reality,” Minister Edghill said.

The Minister called for Guyanese to demonstrate unity for the development of Guyana. He said if everyone has the same vision, more could be achieved to benefit the nation.