The new $15.1 billion Schoonord to Crane Highway is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) while opening up new lands for development.
Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali said this new highway is, however, part of a much larger plan to connect several Regions Two, Three, Four, Seven, and 10.
The new highway, a four-lane road link, was commissioned on Thursday night by the Guyanese Head of State. It features three roundabouts, more than 30 bridges, and key signage.
And it is expected to significantly reduce traffic woes by providing an alternative route for commuters, and a direct link to the forthcoming Demerara River Crossing.
The new highway also provides much easier access to acres of otherwise unused lands across Region Three- a spinoff benefit of the road that President Ali said was intentionally pursued.
Beyond this new roadway and the benefits it brings, President Ali told the mammoth crowd gathered for the commissioning ceremony that the government is pursuing a bigger plan to connect several regions.
This Schoonord to Crane Highway will eventually be extended to Parika, the community that is primarily used to travel to Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam). A highway will then go to Del Conte, while a road link will be from Sand Hill in Region Three to Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni).
With these linkages, Regions Four (Demerara- Mahaica) and 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) should be integrated too.
“The infrastructure interlink that we are talking about is to position Guyana as a major transport and logistics hub,” President Ali said.
