President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday inspected several critical road networks and proposed alignments across Region Three as the government moves to address mounting traffic congestion and support rapid housing and industrial expansion along the West Coast of Demerara.
During the inspection, the president said the government is advancing plans to expand and interconnect existing roads from La Jalousie to Tuschen as part of a broader strategy to ease severe traffic bottlenecks currently affecting commuters between Rumzeight and Tuschen.
The head of state explained that the initiative complements the ongoing four-lane highway project from Crane to Parika and is intended to divert light traffic away from the congested West Demerara Public Road.
“We have a massive traffic bottleneck now from La Jalousie. Heavy traffic is causing two to three hours of delay every single day,” President Ali said.
36 bridges to be upgraded, built
He noted that the proposed alignment will pass through existing and expanding housing communities, linking Tuschen to several villages before connecting to other areas through upgraded roadways and bridges.
According to the president, the project will require the construction and rehabilitation of approximately 36 bridges, some of which already exist but will need widening and upgrading.
“We are hoping that in six to eight months, we can bring relief for the traffic coming from La Jalousie all the way to Tuschen,” he stated.
President Ali explained that the new road network will largely follow the old railway embankment alignment from Ruimzeight through communities including Meten-Meer-Zorg, Stewartville, Cornelia Ida and Hague.
The road is expected to accommodate cars, taxis, SUVs and minibuses, while heavier trucks will continue utilising the existing public road.
Traffic ease
Meanwhile, Commander of Regional Division Three, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarine, who accompanied the president during the inspection, explained that traffic congestion has worsened due to increased movement associated with the new Demerara River Bridge project.
“Because of the new bridge, the traffic is travelling a bit faster, so we have that convergence causing a delay on the West Coast,” the commander explained, noting that delays can extend to two hours, especially on weekends.
President Ali said the new alignment will not only improve traffic flow but also strengthen road safety, improve efficiency and support greater productivity for families and businesses.
“It will also aid road safety. It will also aid efficiency, create greater productivity and help families to move safer and more efficiently,” he said.
17 new housing schemes opened
Additionally, Minister of Housing Collin Croal said Region Three has seen explosive housing growth over the last four years, with more than 11,000 house lots allocated and over 17 new housing areas opened.
He noted that approximately 90 per cent of allottees have already accessed their lands, making additional access roads increasingly necessary.
“Think about what is going to be happening with those persons accessing their new areas, as well as our continuing housing programme,” Minister Croal said.
President Ali disclosed that Region Three is projected to see approximately 20,000 new homes over the next four years, alongside major industrial developments linked to the Wales Gas-to-Energy project, a data centre, a fertiliser plant, and a gas bottling facility.
He emphasised that the government’s long-term infrastructure strategy is focused on creating a fully interconnected transport network linking Region Three developments to the new highway systems, the East Bank corridor, Silica City and future industrial zones.
DPI
