Work on new road bypass along West Coast Demerara to commence before year-end, says President

President Dr Irfaan Ali said on Monday that the government will begin work on the first phase of a road bypass along the West Coast Demerara corridor before the end of the year, aiming to ease traffic congestion and support rapid residential and commercial growth in Region Three.

Speaking at the launch of the Model Village programme in Leonora, Ali said the bypass would run from De Kinderen/Den Amstel to Uitvlugt and serve as an interim solution while work continues on the wider four-lane highway project.

“We are trying to put a bypass there that will help in the first phase… from Den Amstel all the way to Uitvlugt. And that is outside of the four-lane road,” the President said.

Ali said the bypass forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure strategy to improve connectivity as communities along the West Coast continue to expand.

He said improved transport links were essential to connecting residents with schools, workplaces, markets, businesses and other essential services, while creating new economic opportunities.

“Our people should be able to move efficiently from their homes to schools, workplaces, markets and services. A well-connected village is a village that is not isolated from opportunity,” he said.

The President said infrastructure development must keep pace with population growth and the expansion of housing schemes and commercial activity across Region Three.

The bypass will complement other major road projects, including the Schoonord-to-Crane four-lane highway, which is part of the government’s wider plan to modernise transportation infrastructure along the West Coast Demerara corridor.