The wooden bridge is being replaced by a new concrete structure.(DPI photo)

[Guyana Chronicle, 2020] A bypass has been erected to facilitate works on  the new $160M Manari concrete bridge in the North Rupununi.

Works began on Friday by contractor H. Naught & Sons; the project represents a major upgrade from the wooden bridge that is currently being demolished.

According to the Department of Public Information(DPI), a work window of 10 weeks is estimated and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure anticipates the new concrete bridge will be completed in time for Easter. To facilitate the reconstruction works, the new bypass has been created across the narrow creek that runs beneath the Manari bridge.

Just last April, through a collaboration between the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Ministry of Natural Resources, an $80Million bypass at the Manari bridge was constructed.

This move was taken by the Government to reduce the number of accidents that previously occurred near the bridge due to a dangerous turn. The result was the elimination of the turn and the construction of a straight bypass road that is 4 metres wide and 1 kilometre long, a significant transformation from the former narrow stretch of road leading to the wooden bridge.

At the time, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman noted the bypass road was part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to ensuring every Guyanese enjoy the good life, irrespective of their location within the country.

“We have made a commitment to developing the hinterland region and as you can see, work is already underway,” said Minister Trotman.

The new Manari bridge will bolster the Linden-Lethem road that is projected to undergo construction this year. Plans are afoot to upgrade all the existing bridges along the route to concrete.

To ensure the smooth flow of traffic, commuters are advised to exercise caution and adhere to all safety and directional signs in the work zone.

[DPI, Guyana] Residents and farmers of Mocha on the East Bank of Demerara and Ithaca, West Coast Berbice are soon to benefit from drainage and irrigation works aimed at reducing flooding and improving access to lands situated aback the communities.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at a December 29, Post Cabinet Media brief said the projects will cost a total $338,883 Million.

“For construction of drains, canals, access dams and hydraulic structures at Mocha Region Four, the Ministry of Agriculture contract in the sum of $182,509,000 awarded to Rupan Ramotar investment. For construction of drains, canals, dams and hydraulic structures at Ithaca, West Berbice Region Five, the Ministry of Agriculture, a contract in the sum of $148,374,000 contract was awarded to H. Nauth and Sons,” Minister Harmon said.

In addition, Minister Harmon said when completed the projects will help to reduce unemployment among the residents of the two communities

“The objective of these two projects at Mocha and Ithaca is to improve the drainage systems and access to the backlands of these two communities; to increase their productivity and competitiveness while promoting employment and entrepreneurship in these communities. It will also lead to increased revenue for farmers who have access to great amounts of lands that are irrigated,” the Minister of State added.

Works on the two projects are expected begin within a fortnight and be completed within the first half of this year. They form part of the Project which is being funded by a combination of loan and grants from the Caribbean Development Bank.

[Stabroek News] H Nauth and Sons Civil Engineering Contractors will be building an asphalt plant at Lethem in Region Nine and the Chief Executive Officer of the firm Kiran Nauth says that the multi-million-dollar investment is due to the future it sees in the town.

One of the companies is H Nauth and Sons, which is seeking authorisation for the asphalt plant at the Lethem Industrial Estate. “We are taking up pavers and all asphalt-related components for the project and it’s a multi-million dollar investment. Since Lethem has become a town, we see a future there and it will return on the investment,” Nauth told Sunday Stabroek.

Nauth said the plant will be on the outskirts of the town and should not have any negative environmental impact to nearby communities. It’s on the outskirts of the town and more in the Savannah area and it definitely won’t have any effects on the people,” he explained.

In addition, he noted that the technology has improved dramatically over the years and as a result, the dangerous emissions associated with asphalt plants have decreased dramatically.

The asphalt plant, which will be the first that will be serving the town, is also expected to create employment for dozens of local persons.

In light of the company’s application for environmental authorisation, acting Executive Director of the EPA Kemraj Parsram told Sunday Stabroek that there is a 30-day period in which residents living around the area where the plant is going to be constructed can make an appeal as to why the project should not go forward or any other relevant comments.

Parsram explained that if there are issues with the projects, then the agency will set the terms of references. If the companies can agree to work in line with the terms of reference, then the permits will be granted to them, once there have been no solid objections from anyone.

According to Nauth, his company is still in the process of transporting its equipment to the area and the deplorable Lethem trail has been a hindrance and is slowing their movements. However, by the start of next year, the plant should be completed and if they have received their permit, then the operations should begin.