In a major step forward for national infrastructure, the new highway linking the East Bank to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is nearing completion.
The project, which rolled out in phases is currently at phase three.
Phase one included construction of the path from Sherriff- Mandela to Eccles, while phase two involved construction from Eccles to Great Diamond, and phase three from Great Diamond to Craig.
The final leg of the project will be from Great Diamond to the airport.
Senior Engineer attached to the projects department at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Anthony Ragnauth who provided an update recently, pointed to the significant development which is taking place as works progress.
“So, basically, we’re at the phase three leg right now, which is in Great Diamond to Craig area. You’ll find that the construction now in this zone is approximately eighty per cent complete,” he noted.
“What is worthwhile to note as this area used to be known as the backlands of Diamond- with the highway being constructed here you’ll find that it’s now the forefront of development. As you can see around, there’re lands that are opening up throughout the highway, and the next leg of the highway which we’re connecting from Craig to Land of Canaan, that’s also in progress with the aim of linking to the airport ultimately,” Ragnauth continued.
The new highway is designed to ease congestion, reduce travel time, and connect rural communities to the airport more efficiently.
“Previously, the East Bank corridor would have been only able to access through the East Bank main road,” Ragnauth pointed out.
He added that with the construction of this highway, it will be parallel to that old East Bank Road, with major housing and economic development, as well as infrastructure connectivity.
“Then it would be interconnected with the new Harbour Bridge access as well, and ultimately will open up the residential lands as well as industrial/commercial. The development is vast once this road is constructed and even during the construction because as we roll out the project in phases, the phases of the development in the different areas is evident. We’re looking presently at about 30 km of highway and then once the Land of Canaan section is completed the next phase will be rolled out to go to the airport,” Ragnauth said.
