Georgetown: The National Drainage and Irrigations Authority (NDIA), is advising the public that the long-awaited Hope Canal Bridge, component 2 of the East Demerara Water Conservancy- Hope Canal Project will be commissioned on Saturday February 15, 2014.
Opening the Bridge is the first step in the Operationalization Procedure for this facility and it is expected that the other components will soon follow.
Immediately after the Commissioning of the Bridge, the structure will be opened to traffic and the diversion road which vehicles were using to traverse the East Coast Highway in the vicinity of Hope will now be closed to facilitate remaining works.
NDIA is urging all road users to comply with traffic signs and road rules and to make use of the completed Hope Canal Bridge. At the same time, motorists are reminded to be vigilant and to travel at a safe speed at all times since the bridge is in close proximity to the Hope Secondary School.
“The closure of the bypass road which was used as a diversion route will enable work to continue towards bringing the other components of the project to fruition. We (NDIA) have embarked on a plan to ensure that the remaining components are completed in the shortest possible time,” NDIA, CEO Lionel Wordsworth said.
Background
The Bridge which was constructed at a cost of approximately $349M has a length of 74.4m and a 47m sloped approach on both sides. It has the capacity to accommodate two lane traffic and sidewalks on both sides. It was constructed by DIPCON Engineering.
The project has four components:- the Northern Relief Channel and Associated Drainage Structures, the Conservancy Head Regulator, the Public Road Bridge and the High Level Outfall Sluice. Construction work on the EDWC Northern Relief Channel began in 2011, however, due to several constraints the projects have had to be extended. Thus far, works are ongoing at a pace to ensure that the project is completed.
The US$15M East Demerara Water Conservancy- Hope Canal project which is funded entirely by the people of Guyana; when completed will significantly reduce the vulnerability of flooding in Guyana’s low-lying coastal areas which are currently threatened by sea level rise as a result of Climate Change.
In the past, residents of Hope, Mahaica/ Mahaicony/ Abary and surrounding communities suffered tremendously as a result of flood, hence the need for such a critical project. It is anticipated that with the completion of Hope Canal the frequent opening of the Lama and Maduni Sluice during the rainy season would not be necessary.
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