Surveys for new traffic lights under way

Guyana Chronicle
November 29, 2006

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PERSONNEL from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications have begun surveys for installing about 50 new traffic lights at the most critical intersections in Georgetown and elsewhere.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the studies include for the route leading to the national stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara and the final ones will be done by CMS Traffic Systems Limited, an Indian firm awarded the US$2.1M contract.

The undertaking is a joint initiative of the governments of Guyana and India as part of the local government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance safety on the country’s roadways, GINA stated.

The agency said Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn reported that two engineers from the contracted firm have arrived in the country to commence the final surveys and prepare a report.

They will also make recommendations on additional lights that are not included on the initial list and Ministry of Public Works and Communications employees would provide the necessary information required.

GINA said Rupert Craig Highway, Sheriff and Camp Streets and Carifesta Avenue have already been surveyed and work is ongoing in Kingston.

According to GINA, the signals will be placed, as well, at the busy junctions of Camp and Lamaha Streets; Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue, Church and Main Streets and Mandela Avenue and Hunter Street, all in the city; the junction of the East Coast Demerara Highway and Courida Park and Ogle Airstrip Road and the East Coast Demerara Railway Embankment and the East Bank Demerara Highway at Eccles access road.

GINA said the agreement to install the lights and three others was formalised last November 7 in the presence of President Bharrat Jagdeo and then visiting India Vice-President, Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

The contract for the execution was signed between CMS and the Government of Guyana on November 8, at the Ministry of Public Works and Communications.

GINA said modernising the country’s infrastructure has been one of the government’s primary objectives over the years, with significant resources being channelled towards that goal.

Earlier this year, more than $240M was spent to put 424 more lights on the East Coast Demerara road between Better Hope and Golden Grove, GINA said.

Similar lights were previously put between the Russian Embassy in Kitty, Georgetown to Better Hope; Mahaica/Rosignol Highway; Mahaica and Mahaicony bridges and approaches; all on East Coast Demerara; Timehri to Republic Park and from Demerara Harbour Bridge, on East Bank Demerara, as well; from Ruimveldt Police Outpost in the city through to Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara and Kitty Pump Station to the Seawall Bandstand, in the capital, too.

GINA said President Jagdeo, at the opening of the Ninth Parliament on September 28, reiterated the government’s position on the continuous improvement of the infrastructure, noting that such development will not only complement that of the private sector but begin this country’s integration with South America.