New connector road to link Providence to Ogle–Eccles Highway

Ministers Croal and Edghill, along with their technical teams, on the site visit

The government is exploring the most efficient route for a new connector road linking Providence on the East Bank corridor to the Ogle–Eccles Highway, aiming to minimise commuter disruption and delays.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill announced the plans on Wednesday during a site visit to a roundabout under construction, which will connect the access road from the New Demerara River Bridge to the Heroes Highway.

He was joined by Minister of Housing Collin Croal, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Madanlall Ramraj, and engineers and contractors from both ministries. Minister Edghill said the Heroes Highway roundabout will be completed shortly, ensuring smoother access to the new bridge.

“What has been happening at the backlands that people don’t see is that from where the road from Ogles to Eccles was built – it stopped – we are continuing the road to Providence so that there can be a seamless connection from that highway to this highway,” Edghill said.

He added: “What we are examining right now is the alignment from the back to come up to the front, which is about two kilometres between Heroes Highway and that road.”

The public works minister also noted that the government is examining the alignment for the roughly two-kilometre stretch needed to link Heroes Highway to the Ogle–Eccles Road. There will be three connector roads between Ogle-Eccles Road and Heroes Highway, including one at Aubrey Barker, which is coming online soon.

Minister Croal highlighted that the government’s priority is expanding road networks while limiting disruption to residents. “…Because of the expansion work that is taking place, you will have the likelihood of running through communities and the desirable outcome that we would like to have is to have the least disruption for the residents and to look at the best possible route…” Croal said. He added, “As time goes by, we will certainly inform and engage those persons who may be affected, if they are.”

The site visit is part of the government’s broader infrastructural development agenda to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity for residents and businesses. (DPI)