The focus will be the four-lane East Bank Demerara road from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to Ruimveldt, and the paved road from the western end of the Harbour Bridge to St. Lawrence, Parika - a distance of 40 kilometres.

The project which, according to Mr. Walter Willis, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Works and Communications, was due to commence Tuesday, is to be done in two segments and expected to be completed in eight months.

Signing the contract Tuesday on behalf of the Government of Guyana were Willis and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr. Kenneth Jordan. SNC Lavalin Senior Vice President/Project Engineer, Mr. Joti C. Chakraburty signed on behalf of the firm.

Officials said funding is through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Willis noted that the project is in keeping with the Government's policy to enhance traffic safety and ease congestion on the Demerara Harbour Bridge, and some entrances to Georgetown, the West Coast Demerara and Ruimveldt.

The CDB said the funds will be used specifically to assist in the preparation of a feasibility study and subsequent final design and tender documents for rehabilitating the West Coast Demerara road, and upgrading the East Bank Demerara road from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to Ruimveldt.