Works are advancing on the highly anticipated all-weather road to Lethem, with 75 per cent of the paving on the first section, Linden to Mabura Hill, completed to date.
On Wednesday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill met with the construction companies working on the project, during which he received an update on the project’s status. “As of right now, 75% of the pavement work and 62% of the entire work are completed.
The average monthly paving in recent months has been 7 km,” the Public Works Ministry said in a Facebook post about the engagement.
The Linden to Mabura Hill Road, which will eventually reach all the way to Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), is a vital road network that is being utilised by thousands of persons who transport goods from the coast to the inland regions of Guyana.
The previous condition of this road posed significant challenges for commuters and transport operators. Heavily laden lorries frequently toppled off the roadway, and deteriorated bridges required manual alignment of boards for crossings, often with unsafe outcomes.
However, when completed, this pertinent piece of infrastructure will significantly improve connectivity between Linden and the inland regions of Guyana. This project is being co-financed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) through a US$112 million loan, a £50 million (US$66 million) grant from the United Kingdom under the Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (CIPF), and US$12 million from the Government of Guyana.
It marks the largest grant Guyana has ever received from the UK. The road will boast a 7.2-metre-wide carriageway, a two-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle lane, and 10 bus stops with ramps for persons with disabilities. Additionally, the project includes the replacement of multiple bridges and culverts, as well as the installation of 123 lights along the roadway.
The plan also includes building a 600-metre bridge over the Kurupukari River and a causeway to ensure the road is open to traffic 24/7.
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