President Irfaan Ali said the construction of the new four-lane Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge would “create immense opportunities” for residents of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice). The construction of the bridge between the Government of Guyana and the Chinese company, China Railway Construction Caribbean, brings the infrastructure project, which was conceptualised by the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change closer to realisation.
During Ali’s keynote address at the contract signing and sod turning ceremony on Friday for the US$35m bridge, he emphasised the bridge is not a “stand-alone infrastructure” and connects to the greater development plans in place for the region and, by extension, the country. The new bridge, Ali said will enable greater activities and massive opportunities for residents and enhance development and trade, especially with Brazil.
The new bridge will land some distance away from the original bridge built by the Demerara Bauxite Company from 1965 to 1967.
“This new bridge will be a four-lane precast bridge, 220 metres long. The bridge must be completed within two years and would carry all the road safety signs and lighting. It will have a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres,” President Ali disclosed.
Adding to this, the Government will soon launch a new phase of the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme for 100 young people, at a cost of $200m. Plans are also in the pipeline to construct 1,000 homes at Plantation York.
Several Ministers, the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, HE Guo Haiyan; Opposition Members of Parliament; and Regional Chairman Deron Adams were also at the contract signing ceremony.
