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– President Ali opened the $15.1 billion four-lane Schoonord to Crane highway
In a move to enhance connectivity across the country, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday evening inaugurated the new four-lane highway from Schoonod to Crane in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
In his keynote speech at the inauguration ceremony, the Head of State stressed that this modern highway will further consolidate Guyana’s position as a major transportation and logistics hub.
“Today we will open the highway from the Harbour Bridge to Crane and by Sunday the entire stretch will be operational,” President Ali said.
However, he noted that based on the advice of local police, the government will add a “slip lane” – a road that allows road users to change lanes without actually entering the highway intersection – to further improve traffic flow.
The new expressway, which features three roundabouts, 11 reinforced concrete box culverts, 36 prestressed bridges, and road signs and markings, will improve traffic in Regions Two (Pomeron-Supenaam), Three, Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
“This road is the first phase of the road to Parika. The road to Del Conte will open up thousands of acres of land for housing and agriculture. We have already started work on the dune route; the dune route will be right opposite Bartika,” said Dr Ali.
He said the “well-crafted vision” would see the coastal region strategically linked to the hinterland and mining regions.
He noted that District 3 is not only vital to this nexus, but is already on the cusp of a massive transformation, with the government implementing several modern infrastructure projects that will bring new opportunities to residents.
Central to the modernisation programme is the construction of a new ‘cross-sea’ Demerara Harbour Bridge, which will stretch from Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara to Lagrange on the West Bank of Demerara, and the construction of the Welsh Gas Energy Project.
“This new wave of development will see around 30,000 homes built in the West Bank alone; it is transformational. The skill and speed of change is amazing and it is very carefully planned,” President Ali added.
Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister Colin Croll noted in his speech that the opening of the new motorway will immediately boost development, reduce travel times and open up new opportunities for entrepreneurship.
“In the four years since we took office, we have invested a lot in this region; from road upgrades and construction to increased housing development, to improved health facilities, utilities including water. We have ensured that these investments have a positive impact on the people of the Third Region, creating jobs and increasing business activity in the region,” Minister Kroll said, adding: “This is a new dawn for the Third Region.”
The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) of the Ministry of Housing and Water Resources is spearheading the $15.1 billion mega project.
Housing and Water Minister Susan Rodriguez revealed that the project was implemented by a team of young engineers and professionals who were led and trained by President Ali during his tenure as Housing and Water Minister.
“I am very proud of this project, especially because it is again a four-lane concrete highway, implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Housing and Planning Authority, and completed by a team of young people, young engineers, supervisors, architects, surveyors; young men and women who have pushed their limits,” said Minister Rodriguez.
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