Min Croal – Lot one of Eccles to Great Diamond Road to be completed before Cricket Carnival

As the much-anticipated Cricket Carnival approaches, lot one of the new Eccles to Great Diamond four-lane highway is slated for completion.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, made the disclosure on Monday during an interview with the media on the sidelines of the 49^th Sitting of the National Assembly, said the new East Bank highway was contracted for $13.3B.

The minister disclosed that it was awarded to 12 contractors in December 2021. “You have the existing Eccles to Great Diamond four lane road that is being done. So, that that is very visible to say works are ongoing. In fact, lot one which is from Eccles to somewhere in the vicinity of Providence or Peter’s Hall, within that proximity, that’s [the first lot] will be finished ahead of time and that is because we put a lot of time and effort into getting that first lot completed,” Croal explained.

The minister noted that when completed, the road will significantly ease traffic congestion in the area especially during the cricket period.

Additionally, Croal said that more than 30 reinforced concrete bridges, 8.6 kilometres of reinforced concrete road, and two roundabouts are part of the project, which has been divided into 12 lots.

It was revealed that the project, which is in keeping with a manifesto promise, is part of President Irfaan Ali’s aggressive approach to infrastructural development.

The housing and water minister also informed that the Schoonord to Crane four-lane project is expected to be awarded shortly and will commence by the end of 2022. The evaluation phase is also complete.

Croal’s ministry was awarded some $21B in supplementary funding, which he stressed is vital to the advancement of Guyana and its people.

Additionally, the project will also ease traffic congestion, and facilitate the construction of new businesses, and residential zones.