Three Chinese firms have dominated the bidding process to build and design the new Berbice River Bridge with bids ranging from US$200 million to as high as US$465 million.
According to information from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) website, five firms have submitted their financial proposals.
Those vying for the contract are China Railway Construction Caribbean Company Limited, China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co. Limited (Joint Venture); AJM Enterprise, Shandong High-Speed Road & Bridge Company Limited (Joint Venture); China Road & Bridge Corporation; China Railway First Group Company Limited, China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co. Limited (Joint Venture); and Vishwa Samooja Private Limited out of India are now the only bidders vying for the project.
Vishwa Samooja Private Limited is the highest bidder with a proposal of US$465,510,780 and China Road & Bridge Corporation is the lowest bidder with a bid of US$205,888,712.
Moreover, China Railway Construction Caribbean Company Limited, China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co. Limited (Joint Venture), submitted a bid to the tune of US$255,872,559.08, while AJM Enterprise, Shandong High-Speed Road & Bridge Company Limited (Joint Venture) placed their bid at US$279,686,679.56 and finally China Railway First Group Company Limited, China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co. Limited (Joint Venture) with a proposal of US$266,432,183.
This project is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works.
When the process commenced last year, nine firms submitted their Expression of Interest. These included China Road & Bridge Corporation; Ashoka Buildcon Limited; China Railway Construction Caribbean Limited in joint venture with China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Company Limited; Shandong High-speed Road & Bridge Company Limited in joint venture with AJM Enterprise; China Railway First Group Company Limited in joint venture with China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Company Limited; Rockey & Son Construction; Kalpataru Projects International Limited; Vishwa Samudra Engineering Private Limited; and Aecon Global Services.
Of the nine, seven firms were granted pre-qualification status to design, build and finance the bridge, and the process is now down to five. 
Last year, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali revealed his government’s plan to construct a new bridge across the Berbice River to complement the region’s expanding economy.
The new river bridge will mirror the modern, high-span US$260 million Demerara River Bridge which is expected to be completed by year end.
