$3.4B in contracts inked for Diamond road expansion; another EBD highway in the works

Five contracts, totalling $3.4 billion, were inked on Friday to facilitate the construction of a connecting highway from the new Eccles to Diamond four-lane highway to the new and old Diamond housing schemes, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

In a bid to ease traffic congestion woes on the EBD, the government has been expanding the road network there.

Already, a new Mandela to Eccles four-lane highway has been built. That highway is now being extended from Eccles to Diamond.

The Ministry of Housing and Water, in a press release issued on Saturday, however noted that a further extension is in the works. That extension will see an expanded roadlink from Diamond to Craig.

See below the full release from the Ministry of Housing and Water:

The Ministry of Housing and Water-Central Housing and Planning Authority, clarifies that among the contracts signed on Friday February 24, 2023 was one for a connecting highway from the new Eccles to Diamond Four-lane highway to the Old and New Diamond Schemes.

This $3.43 B contract was awarded in five lots to; GuyAmerica Construction Inc. Build Smart Construction and Supplies Inc., Vulcan Group Inc, Puran Brother Disposal Inc, and S. Jagmohan Construction & General Supplies Inc. Under this project 2 km of concrete road will be constructed along with 6 heavy duty concrete reinforced bridges.

With regards to the Diamond to Craig, East Bank Demerara Highway, the Ministry is pleased to inform the public that this project is currently in its design and route stages and will be going out for tender by March of this year. This new highway, upon completion, will connect the Eccles to Diamond four-lane highway to Craig, East Bank Demerara and provide an alternative route for commuters heading in and out of the city of Georgetown.