Ogle-Eccles Road project nears completion 

Traffic congestion will soon be a thing of the past for commuters travelling between the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, as construction of the US$106.4 million Ogle to Eccles Road project enters its final stages.

Approximately 70 per cent of the double bituminous surface has already been paved. A double bituminous surface treatment (DBST) involves applying two layers of asphalt binder and aggregate to reinforce the road’s surface, enhancing durability and water resistance.

Ministry of Public Works’ Technical Services Manager, Nigel Erskine, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Wednesday that paving work began a few days ago and will be completed shortly.

“We anticipate that within five days, this stretch up to the East Coast of Demerara highway will be completed,” he said during a site inspection.

Erskine noted that the project has faced several setbacks, including delayed relocation of utilities in populated areas, shipping delays for construction materials, and land acquisition issues surrounding the planned roundabout at the Ogle Railway Embankment junction. Adjustments were also made to divert the Ogle main canal.

Despite these hurdles, Erskine commended contractor Ashoka Buildcon Limited for its performance, emphasising that the road project will be completed within a few weeks.

The contractor has already constructed 23 box culverts, six pipe culverts, eight minor bridges, and a major bridge over the Lamaha Canal, all of which will support drainage and enhance the structural integrity of the 11.5-kilometer highway.

Once completed, the four-lane highway will feature 3.6-meter-wide lanes, with a central median ranging from four to 40 meters in width.

It will connect the East Coast public road and the Ogle public road via intersections and extend 7.8 kilometers south before linking to Heroes Highway.

Ashoka Buildcon’s Project Manager, Ramachan Dar, stated that his team is fully mobilised and working day and night to finalise the project.(DPI)