A Trinidadian firm called WSP Caribbean has been awarded a US$2M contract to conduct a seven-month feasibility study of the bridge that will link Guyana and Suriname.
Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill joined his Surinamese counterpart Minister Riad Nurmohamed on Wednesday, for the signing of the contract with WSP Caribbean, a report from Guyana’s Department of Public Information said on Thursday.
The firm will conduct a seven-month study to determine the best design, build, finance and model for the bridge through a Public Private Partnership.
Minister Edghill said the bridge is one of the highest priority infrastructure projects to be accomplished by both countries’ presidents in their first term in office.
“This bridge is more than just an infrastructure project; it is a vision for the further development of two nations being realised. Development practitioners have agreed that bridges are key drivers of economic activity, ensuring the increased efficiency of trade, rapid exchange of ideas and quick access to services for those who need them most. Cooperation at this level means fewer delays, and more progress for both of our populations,” Edghill was quoted as saying.
He added that the bridge will remove the constraints of current schedules and carrying capacity when travelling with the Canawaima Ferry to a five-hour drive from Georgetown to Paramaribo, resulting in increased efficiency and safety.
Apart from reduced travel time, the bridge will play an impacting role in the development of both nations in various sectors.
The Corentyne Bridge is expected to provide easy access to deep-water facilities in Guyana and Suriname, enabling easy movement of goods and services to support offshore activities. With the new link and the opening of fertile agricultural lands, Guyana and Suriname will be positioned as major food suppliers to CARICOM, achieving the goal of reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
Additionally, Minister Edghill noted the bridge will aid in enhancing South American connections.
Minister Nurmohamed said as the Surinamese Government enters this new stage, the road from Paramaribo will be upgraded.
“We have decided that it should be upgraded so that we have a very good road for tourists so that we can boost the development, especially in Nickerie and overall, in both countries,” he noted.
The bridge which will link Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain through Lange Island can anticipate ships of 47,000 deadweight tonnes, a horizontal clearance of 100 metres and a vertical clearance of 43 metres.
