…as symbolic walkover, fireworks & cultural show planned for opening of new Demerara River Bridge
As preparations continue for the grand opening of the US$260 million new bridge across the Demerara River this weekend, the Guyana Government has identified at least one location where a section of the current Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) will be relocated to.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Friday confirmed that parts of the steel floating structure will be going to connect Timehri to Sandhills, a small village located on the Demerara River just opposite the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
“I can tell you for sure, sections of the bridge, both the retractor and accepter spans, and other segments will be going to do the Sandhills–Timehri crossing – to make the road that we’re building from Sandhills falling into Bartica accessible,” the Minister told reporters at a briefing on Friday afternoon.
While he confirmed the Sandhills–Timehri crossing location, the Public Works Minister pointed out that the technical team at the Ministry is still actively discussing how to utilise the remaining sections of the 1.85-kilometre (km)-long steel bridge that has outlived its 20-year lifespan.
“In the other areas, there are lots of discussions, and I would not want to announce that here, but I can tell you what is certain and what is sure (the Sandhills–Timehri crossing),” Edghill stated.
Only back in July, President Dr Irfaan Ali had hinted that the old Demerara Harbour Bridge could be used to link Timehri to Sandhills, noting that this connection would open up lots of opportunities.
It would take commuters to Foulmouth, which would connect to the Parika–Goshen Road.
“…that would interconnect with this Sand Hills Road that would take us into Bartica, into the interior, so we are now connecting all of the regions,” the Head of State had said.
He added that “the Sandhills–Timehri Hills Road will open up hundreds of thousands of new acres of land for housing, sand mining, agriculture and large areas for forestry.”
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Public Works had issued an invitation for bids for the road link between Parika and Goshen.
The Government had also previously touted using the old Demerara Harbour Bridge to bridge the Berbice River at Kwakwani or bridging the Essequibo islands of Leguan and Wakenaam.
With the new Demerara River Bridge set to open on Sunday for public use, the Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed off to vehicular traffic and remain retracted, thus allowing for the free flow of marine traffic.
“Marine traffic will become accessible without being encumbered by the old Demerara River Bridge. It will be retracted [and] remain retracted until removed, as the components are needed in the various areas that it will be going to,” Minister Edghill noted.
New bridge opening
The Public Works Minister was at the time briefing the media on the arrangements for this weekend’s opening of the new 50-metre (m)-high span cable-stayed bridge across the Demerara River.
On Sunday afternoon, the four-lane 2.6-km concrete structure, connecting Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara, will be commissioned by President Ali and other officials with a symbolic walkover, grand fireworks show and cultural presentation. “You can anticipate one of the best cultural programmes that you will ever see, and this is being coordinated through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport… At the end of the formalities, there will be a massive fireworks display. And at the end of the fireworks display, all ships in the Demerara Harbour will harmoniously sound their alarms. And that will be a beautiful sound to announce the [end of] days of restraint and hardships waiting for openings and closings of the bridge and the announcing of that new era in Guyana’s modernisation and transformation,” the Minister noted.
The opening ceremony, which the Government has invited the Guyanese public to attend, will be held on the eastern end of the bridge on the new approach road that was constructed leading to the bridge from the Heroes Highway along the East Bank of Demerara.
“When the ceremony is finished, we will walk along the southern carriageway to the [western] end of the bridge. The President will be able to join his vehicles, and all the Ministers and members of the diplomatic corps, special invitees, and all the Guyanese will be able to join their vehicles, and they will be able to head east using the northern carriageway of the bridge. While we are walking across the southern carriageway, we will make that carriageway unencumbered by removing the chairs, stage, and everything.”
“So, within 45 minutes to an hour, by the time we would have gotten to the western end, both carriageways will be open… The bridge will be open to traffic heading both east and west from that time forth. I have seen some comments that suggest that even though we are opening the bridge on Sunday afternoon, it will not be available for use until Monday or sometime later. I can tell you up front, those are mischief makers playing to the minds and the psyche of the Guyanese people,” Edghill stressed.
Nevertheless, the Public Works Minister went on to assure that all Guyanese, without exception, are invited to attend this historic event. “No one should complain that they weren’t invited, because we are making it clear [that] all Guyanese without exception are invited.”
The Guyana Police Force, along with some 150 volunteer ushers, would be on standby to escort invitees to designated seating and parking areas for the opening ceremony. Persons are asked to dress comfortably, especially for the 2.9-km walk.
At its highest point, the bridge is 50 m, which means Handymax vessels can pass comfortably underneath. With a lifespan of 100 years, the bridge is expected to mitigate current traffic woes and congestion.
The new crossing will operate 24/7, toll-free, and accommodate vehicles of all sizes and weights, with a maximum speed limit of 80 km per hour. The bridge had cleared a series of load tests conducted over the last two weeks.
In fact, Minister Edghill on Friday reiterated that, “It’s as safe as you can get it… we have not compromised on standards to get this bridge done. Throughout the construction, we have been doing all the necessary tests. As a matter of fact, the project engineers and members of his team have travelled to China to test materials that were used on the bridge to ensure it meets the standards. The consultants have also been in China to test those… President Ali, the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) has delivered on a promise, and it is safe for all Guyanese people.”
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