Gov’t plans new transport links to support Palmyra development

The government is actively pursuing several major transport routes to enhance access to Palmyra in Region Six, as this area is rapidly establishing itself as a pivotal hub for large-scale development.

The proposed links are expected to open up new economic opportunities and stimulate activity across the wider Berbice region and beyond.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill said Palmyra is already seeing significant transformation, with projects including state-of-the-art stadiums, women’s development facilities and a planned deep-water harbour.

“With a deep-water harbour at Palmyra, it provides connectivity and economic activity that will be unprecedented,” he said.

He explained that the scale of development requires modern infrastructure to support both marine and road traffic.

As part of this effort, a new high-span Berbice River Bridge designed to mirror the US$262 million high-span Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge is being constructed to allow uninterrupted passage for ships and vehicles.

“We must ensure our waterways are not hindered, and neither is vehicular traffic,” the minister said.

Further plans include a new municipal airport at Canje, a few miles outside New Amsterdam, with a similar facility to be built in Lethem.

In addition to this, the deep-water harbour will be linked to the Linden to Lethem Road, allowing hundreds of containers to move easily through the country for export and regional trade.

Minister Edghill said the first phase of the Linden to Lethem Road is already under construction, while negotiations are ongoing for the second phase.

The third and fourth phases are under active consideration.

Plans are also advancing for a bridge across the Kurupakari River, which the public works minister said will be built during the government’s current five-year term.

The minister noted that improved connectivity is expected to drive private investment along the corridor, creating demand for restaurants, service centres, hotels, fuel stations and heavy-duty vehicle repair services.

“These communities will be able to make investments for greater economic activity,” he said.

Moreover, the government is examining the possibility of reintroducing rail transport to move cargo and passengers, potentially running alongside the Linden to Lethem Road.

“We are also looking at options and how we can design and develop that, and that is a work in progress. President Ali has been speaking about that and how we can get mass transit operations to bring people out and into the city,” the minister explained.

Minister Edghill stated that the government is building new roads and highways to reduce congestion and improve the country’s transportation network for safer travel and better connectivity.

DPI