New Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge ahead of schedule

The new US$35 million Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge is progressing ahead of schedule, with 37.5 per cent of the work already completed.

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, visited the site today to inspect the ongoing works. The rapid pace of construction has pushed the project ahead of its planned timeline.

The four-lane bridge will feature a pre-cast structure spanning 220 metres, with a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres. It will also be fully equipped with all necessary safety features, including lighting and signage.

In January, Project Manager at the Ministry of Public Works, Patrick Thompson, noted during a site visit that the bridge would also have a two-metre-wide sidewalk on both sides and would be elevated approximately 10 metres above ground level, with a clearance of over eight metres.

The contract for the project is being executed by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), the same company responsible for constructing the new Demerara River Bridge. The contract was signed for a two-year period, with construction commencing in April 2024 and expected to be completed before April 2026. The new bridge will replace the existing single-lane structure built by the Demerara Bauxite Company between 1965 and 1967.

The government aims to establish a transport and logistics hub in Region 10, and this bridge will serve as a critical link in the road network to achieve that goal. Upon completion, it is expected to play a vital role in strengthening trade between Guyana and Brazil.