Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill announced on Thursday that the completion date for the highly anticipated Demerara River Bridge has been pushed back to March 31, 2025. This update came during an early morning site visit, where the minister shared insights into the project’s progress.
Originally slated for completion by December 31, 2024, the bridge is currently nearing the finish line, with approximately 70% of construction completed.
“It must never be lost in terms of our focus that this new Demerara River Bridge is a signature transformative project because of the benefits it will bring to hundreds of thousands of Guyanese who depend on this river crossing daily,” Edghill emphasized.
He noted that initial skepticism surrounded the project’s feasibility, but he remained steadfast in his commitment: “Every day we are seeing more and more that it will be a reality.”
Edghill further acknowledged the challenges faced throughout the project, stating, “We have been at this with all difficulties and challenges we had. The team, the engagement with contractors and consultants have been intense at my level almost every month, and at Patrick’s level, weekly, daily.”
He also highlighted the involvement of the President in discussions about the bridge, underscoring its importance to the country.
While the project team had hoped to finish ahead of schedule, they encountered delays, particularly related to shipping. Edghill confirmed, “From all indications, we will make that revised date of March 31, 2025.”
He assured the public that quality control remains a top priority, with project engineers dedicated to maintaining high standards.
Patrick Thompson, Project Manager with the Ministry of Public Works, corroborated Edghill’s statements, revealing, “As of yesterday, we are 67.8 percent complete.”
The design of the bridge also reflects a commitment to safety and resilience.
“We can’t prevent vessels from colliding, but we can minimize the impact on the bridge,” Thompson noted. For example, where a clearance of 48 meters was initially required, they have increased it to 50 meters. Similarly, the width has been expanded from 200 to 300 meters. “All those elements are in place to minimize any collision,” Thompson explained.
Thompson assured that the foundation and piers of the bridge are constructed to resist impacts from large vessels, known as handy max vessels.
“The structure will not collapse or be affected in a major way,” he said. Moreover, the bridge is designed to withstand seismic activity, adding another layer of durability to this crucial infrastructure project.
And Edghill explained too that the government is in an advanced procurement stage for the roads connecting the bridge to both the East and West Banks of the Demerara River.
“That’s why all the connector roads between Eccles and Mocha are under construction or upgrades to bring traffic back to the East Bank corridor,” Edghill added.
As the new Demerara River Bridge continues to take shape, its promise of enhancing connectivity and supporting the growing needs of Guyanese citizens remains steadfast.
