The East Bank of Demerara’s Eccles to Diamond Four-Lane Highway is expected to be completed in time for the Christmas season, despite missing its initial schedule. Authorities are also working to make sure that the caliber of work carried out is up to standard because the focus is on completing the project.
According to Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, the project’s second phase is anticipated to be commissioned before the year ends.
Also read: $215M Highway Construction Project Approved on a Section on the North-South Transport Corridor.
She said that many lessons were learned from the first phase. Some of the contractors have begun working on the second phase of the project.
She emphasized that they would like the Eccles to Diamond Four-Lane Highway to be operational as soon as possible, especially in time for the Christmas season. However, they do not want to compromise on the quality of work that is delivered.
According to Susan Rodrigues, they are keeping an eye on the progress of the road. She emphasized how crucial it is to make sure the road’s quality meets the necessary standards.
The initial deadline for the Eccles to Diamond Four-Lane Highway
In December 2021, twelve companies were awarded the contract for the $13 billion project. By April 2023, the project would have been completed in the allotted eighteen months.
Nevertheless, by then, a lot of issues had emerged. The delay resulted from the need to relocate certain Mocha settlers after the termination of the contractor for one of the lots.
According to Rodrigues, the contractors are in a critical moment in the project. This is due to the closure of Mocha Access Road and Providence Access Road, also referred to as Red Road.
The two roads will be linked to the four-lane highway during this closure. This is expected to be completed shortly. It is anticipated that the four-lane highway will substantially reduce traffic congestion on the East Bank corridor. This is part of an alternative East Bank-Demerara road link.
