New Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge on track for early completion – MoPW’s Project Manager
The US$35 million Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge in Region 10 is progressing ahead of schedule, according to Project Manager Patrick Thompson of the Ministry of Public Works.
“We are on track for early completion,” Thompson announced on Sunday morning during a site visit by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and a team of Ministers who travelled to the mining town of Linden.
The government signed a contract with China Railway Construction Corporation early last year for the construction of the new bridge.
Jie Chen, the Project Manager at China Railway, highlighted significant progress in preparatory works.“These include traffic diversions and the construction of a temporary bridge,” Chen stated.
He further noted that the pile-driving phase is scheduled to commence in February and will operate on a 24/7 schedule to meet a critical timeline in June 2025. The bridge, a four-lane pre-cast structure, is slated for completion by April 2026.
It will span 220 metres and feature modern safety elements, including lighting and signage. The design will provide a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres, accommodating river traffic and ensuring safety.
President Ali has directed Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister within the Ministry Deodat Indar to ensure that the bidding documents for connecting roads to the bridge are finalised and released by next week Saturday.
The new bridge’s landing site will be located a short distance from the original single-lane structure, constructed by the Demerara Bauxite Company between 1965 and 1967.Ministers Edghill, Indar, Collin Croal, and Hugh Todd joined President Ali on the site visit.
