The new $11 billion highway linking Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam, part of the government’s push to modernise infrastructure, cut travel times and reduce congestion along the East Bank corridor, was commissioned today.
The four-lane road, built by local contractors, provides an alternative route for travellers heading to Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and is the third phase of a broader roadway initiative. Earlier segments connected Mandela to Eccles and Eccles to Diamond, while a fourth phase will extend the highway from Buzz Bee Dam to Land of Canaan next year.
“This is what it means to govern with vision and purpose. We’re not stopping at Buzz Bee Dam. The road will continue to Soesdyke,” President Irfaan Ali said at the opening ceremony, underscoring that “Progress is our mantra.”
Ali described the project as more than just a road, calling it “a symbol of progress and forward-thinking leadership.” He acknowledged construction-related disruptions but said they were part of long-term development. “Yes, there were inconveniences, but they are the price of progress,” he said.
The president added that the new route would improve productivity, reduce fuel waste and open access to communities, industries and farmlands. “Roads are not just about vehicles—they’re vital channels of development,” he said, adding that “without them, we can’t efficiently move goods, workers, or families.”
Housing and Water Minister Colin Croal said more than 56 kilometers of new highways and roads have been built nationwide in the past four years. “Roads connect communities and open doors for housing and investment,” he said.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, said work on the Buzz Bee Dam to Land of Canaan link is scheduled to begin in 2026.
The Diamond-Buzz Bee Dam highway was constructed in lots by local and international firms, including GuyAmerica Construction, VALS Construction, China Railway First Group, NABI Construction, and H. Nauth and Sons.
“This highway is another promise delivered,” he said, “and a major step forward in building a more efficient, connected, and prosperous Guyana.”
One stretch of the highway
President Ali speaks at the commissioning
