Jagdeo: New $5B Berbice Bridge to be completed during next term

Vice President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, said construction of the new Berbice River Bridge will be completed in the government’s next term in office.

He gave the assurance during his weekly press briefing at Freedom House on Wednesday, while responding to a question on whether works would commence on the bridge prior to the elections.
Though he answered in the negative, he emphasised the government’s commitment to completing the project.

“I doubt it. Even if you award the contract, it takes a while to actually get mobilisation and all of that. If you award a contract, it takes weeks or maybe months to negotiate the details of the contract…it takes a while to even get the contract in place, and then you have to deal with the finances…so, the way I see it, might be very difficult to get it done but the commitment is the bridge will be built– a four-lane concrete bridge. So, it would be completed in the next term in office,” Dr Jagdeo stated.

The Ministry of Public Works is expected to oversee the construction of the five-billion-dollar Berbice Bridge, which will replace the current floating bridge.
The modern-styled bridge will mirror the design of the new Demerara Bridge.

Following a pre-qualification tender process, a number of companies were shortlisted and have submitted price proposals.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, who first introduced the idea of the new bridge in 2022, confirmed plans for its construction last year, noting that it will complement Guyana’s growing oil and gas economy.
Upon completion, the bridge is expected to significantly improve socio-economic development in Regions Five and Six, boost job creation, and enhance trade.