Works to complete new arch continue without disrupting traffic
Works continued yesterday to complete the new independence arch along the Rupert Craig Highway at Cummings Lodge, East Coast of Demerara, but without the disruption of traffic that had snared motorists and commuters for hours on the previous day.
The contractor was yesterday putting the finishing touches on the arch ahead of its scheduled commissioning this morning by President David Granger.
The arch was gifted to the country by Trinidadian conglomerate ANSA McAl in commemoration of the country’s 51st independence anniversary, which is due to be celebrated later this month.
The installation works on Thursday saw the temporary closure of the Rupert Craig Highway from the University of Guyana Access Road to the Ogle Airstrip Road but this disrupted the flow of traffic along the East Coast due to the nearby closure of Liliendaal Railway Embankment Bridge, which is undergoing major repairs. As a result of the outcry from the public and an assessment by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, the contractor, Industrial Fabrication (InFab), was forced to suspend works and the road was reopened.
The section of the highway was scheduled for closure from 9 am until midnight Thursday. However, works were halted at around 2pm Thursday afternoon and continued at 6pm, after the rush hour period, until 11pm. Up to that time, the works were estimated to be 90% completed.
The works that were continued yesterday included the installation of steel plate covers for the top of the arch and lights.
Stabroek News yesterday also observed workers installing rails on the northern base of the arch and employees from the Guyana Power Light Inc (GPL) were installing the necessary electrical connections to power the lights.
ANSA McAl’s Managing Director Beverly Harper on Thursday told this newspaper that the buildup of traffic was unexpected and apologised to the public on behalf of the company for the inconveniences caused. “Neither us nor the Minis-try of Public Infrastructure expected this and the last thing we wanted was a traffic jam of this magnitude,” Harper said on Thursday.
During the traffic buildup, some drivers created new routes, using the streets in Industry and Cummings Lodge. Before long, traffic was snared along those narrow streets as well, as drivers competed for space.
An ambulance with a sick patient, who was being transported from the Industry Health Centre to the Georgetown Public Hospital, was among the hundreds of vehicles caught in the gridlock as a result of the erection of the arch. One of the technicians on board told Stabroek News that they were stuck in traffic for over an hour. Staff from the health centre had to plead with drivers to pull into the corner to allow the ambulance to move ahead.
The chaos also resulted in some flights, both domestic and international, being delayed at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle.
Yesterday, an employee of LIAT said while traffic did not take a toll on the airline’s flight schedule, it did experience delays of at least two hours. She said too that some passengers who were caught in the traffic jam were able to get on a flight to Barbados, which departed Guyana at 5pm.
Air Services Limited and Trans Guyana Airways had passengers who were affected by the congestion and in order to accommodate them, they made changes to their flight schedules. Roraima Airways said it was not affected.
Harper explained to Stabroek News that ANSA McAl was hosting the Dr. Anthony Sabga Caribbean Awards today in Georgetown, and a host of executives and dignitaries would be travelling from other Caribbean countries to attend. As a result, ANSA wanted to finish the arch in order to have the inauguration with all of the executives present.
She went on to say the event became extra significant after the recent passing of Dr. Sabga, who played an important role in the decision making for the arch.
Harper said Sabga had a soft spot for Guyana, and convinced the company to undertake the project to fund and oversee the installation of the arch.