Progress on the US$46.8M West Demerara Road Expansion Project which begun in January 2015, has been slowed to facilitate the relocation of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) utility services.
Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Senior Projects Engineer, Kester Hinds, was quoted by GINA as saying that relocation of the utility services has been divided into five lots, three of which are completed.
Hinds said that the other two lots are having difficulties but should be completed within a week or two. The relocation of utilities infrastructure would allow for the smooth continuation of the road rehabilitation.
A provisional sum was included in the 2017 budget for the relocation of utility services which is also included in the works contracts.
The project caters for the improvement of about 30.7 kilometres of the West Coast Demerara road from Vreed-en-hoop to Hydronie, bridge replacement and repair, drainage and road safety works, pavement markings and safety barriers along severe curves.
Hinds indicated that other aspects of the project are near completion and he is confident that they will be completed by the end of 2017.
The West Coast Demerara Road Improvement Project is funded by the Government, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank at a cost of US$46.8 Million.
