20
Caribbean Life, April 21-27, 2022
Guyana commissions its state-ofthe
art $2.6B concrete highway
By Tangerine Clarke
President of Guyana Dr. Mohamed
Irfaan Ali, on April 14, along with
Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired)
Mark Phillips, cut the ribbon during
the commissioning ceremony
of a Guy$2.6 billion state-of-the-art
concrete highway, that will create
linkages to the East, West, North
and South of the country.
The Mandela Avenue to Eccles
four-lane freeway, the first, of its
kind, constructed by the Ministry
of Housing and Water, under
the Central Housing and Planning
Authority, will, in two weeks be
equipped with security features to
monitor reckless driving. The feature
that will also track vehicle
speed electronically and transmit
the information to the Guyana
Police Force and the Guyana Revenue
Authority.
Additionally, the feature will be
able to identify number plates and
the image of drivers and their front
seat passengers — even on dark
rainy nights — and transmit that
information electronically to the
relevant authorities. If motorists
are found breaking the traffic rules,
such as driving above the speed
limit, then the information will be
used to prosecute them, and their
licenses and registration will be
revoked, said President Ali.
The speed limit for the new highway
is 30 kmph at the roundabout,
50 kmph in residential areas and 80
kmph in open spaces.
The highway when fully completed,
will lead to the Cheddi Jagan
International Airport, alleviating
the heavy traffic on the main East
Bank route.
Speaking to citizens, Ali, said the
Harpy Eagle that soars upwards,
overlooking a roundabout attached
to the highway, has strength and
fortitude, characteristics that lift
the smallest of Guyanese, while
protecting the nation. He thanked
Peter Pompey, managing director of
Brass Aluminum & Cast Iron Foundry
Ltd. (BACIF), who designed the
3000-pound structure.
The highway, covered in solar
powered lighting, and designed
with white concrete, and a median
of red pavement stone, was built to
The cutting of the ribbon marks the commissioning of the Mandela
Avenue to Eccles Highway in Georgetown. From left, Minister
of Finance Ashni Singh, Minister of Housing and Water Collin
Coral, Prime Minister Brigadier Retd. Mark Phillips, President Dr.
Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Minister within the Ministry of Housing Susan
Rodrigues, and Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond. Photo by
Tangerine Clarke
withstand heavy capacity traffic, a
project Ali said was his brainchild
since he was Minister of Housing.
He called on Guyanese to protect
the construction, that runs through
vast housing development.
“We will move forward in one
momentum, on this blessed, significant
day, Holy Thursday, noting,
the Easter season. “May you
rise with new hope, and renewed
inspiration, and commitment to
Guyana,” he said.
Noting that the highway was
built to American standards, Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA,
Sherwyn Greaves praised the team
of workers, whom he said worked
night and day to complete the highly
anticipated improvement, President
Ali, assured would improve
the lifestyle of Guyanese, who will
have the opportunity to spend more
time with family.
Minister of Public Service Sonia
Parag at the plaque that was
unveiled at the roundabout
where the Harpy Eagle soars
above the Mandela Avenue
to Eccles Highway, in Georgetown,
Guyana. Photo by Tangerine
Clarke
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