Some legal, utility challenges persist but work continues on new Demerara Harbour Crossing

Construction of the new Demerara Harbour Crossing is advancing despite encountering challenges related to East Bank Demerara residents and utility relocations.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, reported that the project is approximately 64 per cent complete.

“The project is progressing…It’s around 64 percent (completed),” Indar told the News Room on Wednesday.

Indar provided this update following a recent site visit, where he inspected ongoing work.

During the visit, he received a detailed overview of the project’s progress and reviewed several challenges, particularly with properties along the East Bank road leading to the river.

“There is also some utilities that have to be moved that have to go underground. They can’t go overhead because of how the bridge will land,” Indar explained.

He noted that the Ministry of Legal Affairs is addressing property occupancy issues, while utility companies are working on plans to relocate utility lines underground.

In May 2022, the government signed a US$260 million contract to build the new Demerara River bridge.

The hybrid-designed structure will feature a modern four-lane layout, a cycle lane, and will span 2.65 kilometers, with a driving surface of about 23.6 meters.

The bridge is expected to have a lifespan of approximately 100 years.

Hundreds of workers are engaged on-site around the clock to ensure the project meets its deadline of December 31, 2024.