The newly expanded Aubrey Barker Road was commissioned on Tuesday, with the $6 billion project positioned as part of a broader national transport strategy rather than a standalone urban upgrade.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali said the 4.4-kilometre corridor, now widened to four lanes, is intended to ease longstanding congestion across South Georgetown, including communities such as South Ruimveldt, North Ruimveldt, Festival City and Lamaha Springs, where rapid urban expansion has increased traffic demand.
Speaking at the commissioning, Ali said the project was designed to integrate with a wider network of road infrastructure linking major economic zones and residential developments.
“It creates faster access to businesses and developments along that corridor… What is happening here on the Aubrey Barker Road is not an isolated project. It is a strategic project. It is not a local upgrade. It is part of a national upgrade of the road transport system,” he said.
The roadway provides more direct connectivity to the Heroes Highway and the East Coast corridor, helping to redistribute traffic flows and reduce pressure on other heavily used routes. Officials say the improved linkage is expected to cut commute times for nearly 5,000 daily users while enhancing access to emerging commercial and housing developments.
The government is also positioning the upgrade as a catalyst for economic activity and land development. Ali pointed to increases in property values along improved road networks, citing instances where land values surged multiple times within a few years due to sustained public infrastructure investment.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said that alongside the Aubrey Barker Road and Greenfield-to-Ogle expansion, about $77 million was invested in 57 community-level projects across South Georgetown to support drainage, accessibility and local connectivity.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Mandalall Ramraj said the upgraded corridor is expected to serve close to 5,000 commuters daily, underscoring its role as a key urban artery.
The project, which began in November 2022, includes widened carriageways, modern road signage, upgraded street lighting and a drainage system with 5.4 kilometres of covered drains on both sides. Pedestrian walkways were also incorporated to address safety concerns in densely populated areas.
With its designation as a public road, maintenance responsibility now falls under the Ministry of Public Works.
The commissioning reflects the government’s continued focus on infrastructure-led development, with officials saying large-scale road upgrades are key to unlocking new housing schemes, stimulating private investment and sustaining long-term economic growth.
