[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Evaluation Report for the selection of contractor, for the Sheriff-Mandela Roadway expansion has been completed, and forwarded to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for its no-objection for the award of contract. This is according to Coordinator of the Works Services Group, Geoffrey Vaughn, who has listed the road project amongst major ones set to commence in 2015.
Speaking at the ministry’s 2014 performance review today at the Work Services Group building, Kingston, Vaughn explained that the road projects are expected to commence in the first quarter. They will see residents benefit from the upgrading of two traffic lanes, from Sherriff Street to the National Cultural Centre, and from two to four traffic lanes, from the Cultural Centre, to the junction of Banks DIH, Thirst Park, The overall length is approximately seven kilometres and the contract is valued US$24M.
Contracts are also set to be awarded in 2015, for a number of other road projects: East Bank Berbice Road Expansion project; Canal #1; Canal #2; West Bank Demerara; and East Bank Demerara (Grove to Timheri).
The East Bank Berbice Road Expansion Project has two components. Under Phase One, which falls under the Government of Guyana (GOG), works have commenced already in terms of the contract’s mobilising. This contract is from the Everton to Mara area, according to Vaughn.
Phase Two is from Stanleytown to Everton, and this upgrade is being done under the Inter- American Development (IDB) part of the contract. Vaughn explained that the ministry has submitted the documentation in terms of the feasibility study for that area, to the IDB and that it is currently awaiting the bank’s no-objection for tendering and awarding. According to Vaughn, there is also another area from Stanleytown, going back to the New Amsterdam area that is being studied right now.
Vaughn explained that at present, the ministry is focusing on the New Amsterdam to Stanleytown area in terms of road works, but later works will progress in terms of other areas.
Meanwhile, the feasibility studies are on-going and are expected to be completed by February 2015, for the rehabilitation of the West Bank Demerara and Canal Polders 1 and 2 roads. The feasibility study is completed and the ministry is awaiting final submission by Consultant CEMCO/EXP. Once this document has been submitted, the ministry will go out to tender for this road, Vaughn said.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Development Bank- funded West Coast Demerara (WCD) road project from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie has been awarded to BK International, in collaboration with Surrey Contracting of Jamaica. This contract was awarded in late November, 2014. Vaughn said the ministry is hoping for full mobilisation on this project to take place this year.
He also disclosed that with regards the Linden-Lethem road, nothing has been worked out for this project. He explained that the government is still looking at a way forward, in terms of moving that project, and that the ministry is hoping that this year it will be finalized.
The ministry will also place focus on an urban transport study. Vaughn explained that this study will develop a specific diagnostic of the urban transport situation, problems and trends, and provide recommendations on matters of public transport infrastructure, operations, financing and institutional organisation. [Extracted and modified from GINA]
