$99M Bagotville Bridge re-commissioned

Residents and commuters can now travel in and out of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara with ease following the re-commissioning of the Bagotville Bridge on Saturday, December 23, 2017.

Ministers of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson told the gathering that a $92M contract for the emergency project was signed with GAICO Construction and General Services Incorporated on September 15, 2017 and works commenced on September 21. At the end of November, the works were completed – two weeks earlier than the scheduled December 15 deadline and two additional $7M contracts were also signed for the provision of steel.

The Public Infrastructure Minister urged the residents to take great care of the new bridge especially during the holidays and cautioned them not “to drink and drive.”

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson also spoke at the event.

“We at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure are aware of the discomfort you experienced over the past months but nevertheless you stayed with us and you ensured the reality of the new bridge here in Bagotville. I know that the previous bridge did not serve you well but you made your plea and the Ministry delivered,” the Junior Minister said.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Region Three, Dennis Jaikaran used the opportunity to highlight other infrastructural projects slated for 2018. He indicated that the region will benefit from $470M in capital works which would include roads, bridges and buildings.

“Between capital and recurrent next year, we are going to benefit from at least $5B investment…. We were in a state of distress now we are in a state of happiness in two years. Our government has been supporting this region tremendously and we have had many interventions from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure apart from our regional budget,” Jaikaran explained. (Extracted and modified from Department of Public Information)