US$31M Sheriff/Mandela expansion to start this month

The Government of Guyana will be forging ahead with the US$31.03M Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue Road Enhancement Project and works are scheduled to commence this month. According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), in December 2017, a contract was awarded to Sino Hydro Corporation Ltd., with funding from the InterAmerican Bank (IDB). “Works for the two-year project includes the relocation of utilities, lane and shoulder improvements, placement of sidewalks and paved shoulders, traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage, a pedestrian overhead walkway, culverts, bridges and a round-about,” the ministry said. During the period of construction, the ministry warned, residents living close to the road, road users, and the wider community may be inconvenienced by traffic delays, dust, as well as general construction activities.

“The ministry wishes to emphasise that these impacts will be temporary and will be constantly monitored to ensure their minimisation. The ministry advises that persons take all necessary precautions. Furthermore, the ministry wishes to thank the general public for its cooperation as it strives for the development of public infrastructure in Guyana.” In October last year, Government signaled its intentions to move ahead with the Sheriff Street/ Mandela Avenue Roadway Enhancement Project, after doubts.

The project, announced under the previous government, came in for question after the administration last year disclosed that it had applied to the IDB to have the monies applied to housing. More than US$60M was sitting idly for a number of years since IDB’s approval, in 2012, without the project moving off the ground, they said.

The link is a critical one between the East Bank Demerara, Central Georgetown, the East Coast Demerara and Berbice. Despite a host of top business places along the Sheriff Street strip, the road had over time become a little too narrow for the volume of traffic. Several bridges, including the one near the National Cultural Centre are in a bad state and deteriorating rapidly.

It was reported that the total distance of roadway to be rehabilitated/constructed is seven kilometers and would involve road widening, reconstruction of failed sections and asphalt overlay.

The project is supposed to complement the East Bank Demerara and Ogle bypass link which is on the cards. IDB had advertised the project on August 24, last, with a deadline given as October 10, 2017.

The project will be seen as a key one to ease congestion.

(Kaiteur News)