Feasibility study for new Demerara River Bridge completed

Dr-Roger-Luncheon111Georgetown : Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon disclosed that the feasibility study for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is completed but yet to be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.

 “Our expectation is that the study will soon be before Cabinet, and on that basis decisions would soon be made about proposed locations and the complexities of the structures,” Dr. Luncheon stated. He added also that expenditure remains a major consideration and when the feasibility study is considered by Cabinet among all the various aspects which would be considered, the cost analysis would be a major concern.

The options for a new Demerara River bridge were revealed during the March 25 presentation of the 2013 National Budget. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh highlighted then that the Government had commenced the technical examination of the options for constructing a new bridge.

Within recent years the Demerara Harbour Bridge has been experiencing an increased number of vehicles crossing the bridge on a daily basis and needs a new structure.

The proposed project will see the bridge being made of reinforced concrete, having four lanes for vehicular traffic (20 metres (m) wide), walkway for pedestrians inclusive of cycle lane, loading (HS 25 or CSA 600), navigational clearance (100m wide), navigational aids, air draft (50m), adequate marine collision protection at navigational channel and an estimated length of 2250m.

Versailles on the West Bank of Demerara to Houston on the East Bank of Demerara, and Good Hope on the East Bank of Demerara and Patentia on the West Bank of Demerara have been put forward as possible locations.