Govt mulls reducing speed limit on Soesdyke-Linden Highway as upgrades continue

As major upgrades continue on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the government is considering a temporary reduction in the speed limit to protect commuters and construction workers.

This is according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill who conducted an inspection of the works today.

“People are accustomed to driving this highway at 100 kilometers…Construction is taking place right now, for example, the area where we are standing has been milled out, this is where they start milling out the entire road where the asphalt is being taken up by way of a machine and is being prepared for overlay and they have to put on crusher run which involves bricks… You can’t be speeding in the construction zone because the people who are working on that zone are at risk, but you are also putting yourself at risk by speeding on a surface that is not completed,” the minister explained.

“We will have to work with the Traffic Chief and agree on a new speed limit…and we will have to put up those signs in the interest of ensuring compliance,” he added.

The US$161 million upgrading of the highway involves the reconstruction of two lanes, ten bridges and six culverts with improved design, quality and standards.

It also includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements providing essential public administration support, and improved connectivity with communities, roadside and other facilities.

The scope of work also entails milling of existing asphalt surface course, application of varying pavement structures above the milled sections of pavement inclusive of asphalt, sand asphalt, and sub-base; full-depth pavement reconstruction in certain sections, construction of three roundabouts along the alignment, sidewalks extension to nine multi-span bridges, drainage work, and utility relocation, and installation of roadway lighting.

The contract for the Soesdyke-Linden highway was awarded to a joint venture between Namalco Construction Services of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyanese firm Guy-America Construction Incorporated.

This new highway is expected to boost economic productivity throughout the country while simultaneously expanding the productive capacity of Guyana, boosting land availability, and open up new areas for a multifaceted investment portfolio.

To ensure the project stays on track with little to no delays, the government has acquired the services of an international consultant, Absheek Engineering of Kuwait, to work in collaboration with C.B. & Associates Incorporated. That contract totals some US$1.7 million.