The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has announced the award of a contract for the construction of a tarmac for the market and parking lot at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
The contract was awarded to Bardon Construction Service for a sum of GYD 57,188,120. Works are scheduled to commence this week and are expected to last for approximately four months while the defects liability period amounts to 12 months after the letter of completion by MPI.
The project scope entails the construction of a tarmac on the southern side of Demerara Distillers Limited, with a length of approximately 125m and width of approximately 65m. The construction will be done in two phases: phase one of the project will consist of crusher run and phase two will consist of the application of asphaltic concrete and the possible extension of the tarmac access road to First Avenue, Diamond. More so, the tarmac is to be outfitted with concrete and earthen drains, lighting, toilet facilities, and a waiting area for passengers.
Bardon Construction Service will only be executing phase one of this project, which entails the removal of vegetation from the working area, cleaning of existing culverts, excavation work (depth of 0.8m for a width of 65m and length of 125m), disposal of unsuitable materials off-site, ditch excavation, placement of compaction of white sand, construction of concrete drains, bridges and box culverts, installation of lights, toilet facilities, garbage bins, and waiting area. Phase two is scheduled to commence in December.
According to the vision of MPI, the purpose of the construction of this tarmac is to (1) Improve Road Traffic Safety – reduction in the number/possibility of vehicular crashes occurring within the area. Taxi drivers will not be constantly making U-turns or parking near the road edge, or frequently pulling in and out, and obstructing persons from exiting minibuses and walkways; (2) Transportation Efficiency – The separation of taxi drivers and vendors from motor vehicular traffic will allow for the smooth flow of traffic within that area, since the flow of traffic will not be obstructed especially during peak hours. This will also, in turn, reduce vehicle emission levels and; (3) Improved Facilities for Taxi drivers and Vendors – Taxi drivers and vendors can have some form of uniformity and proper working facilities to provide improved services to customers whilst maintaining some level of safety for themselves and the public.
