US$22M bridges contract signed
Work to start Jan 15
Stabroek News
December 6, 2002
A US$22M contract to repair bridges along the Timehri to Rosignol roads was signed between the Ministry of Public Works and Communications and Dywidag, a German firm, yesterday.
A press release said the contract, part of the IDB-funded Main Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase II, represents phase one of the bridges project and will see the construction of 27 pre-pressed concrete bridges and 38 culverts. The Success, Lusignan, Good Hope and Mahaica and Mahaicony railway bridges are among those to be repaired when the project commences on January 15, the release said.
Dywidag Director, Hans Christian Kroeger told the media all material and equipment, including a pre-fab concrete plant, necessary for the works will be imported by his company.
In relation to the Mahaica and Mahaicony railway bridges, Kroger said the plan is to move each existing structure approximately 100-150 metres upstream where they will be designated national monuments while new bridges will be erected to replace them. Concern had been expressed over these historic bridges which were originally to be moved completely from the area. The concern voiced caused a rethink on the part of the planners for the project and the bridges are now being shifted slightly and preserved.
Asked for a background on Dywidag, Kroeger said the company was established in 1865 and is one of Germany's largest civil engineering groups with an annual turnover of US$3B. The company has also handled numerous contracts in other countries worldwide, including Brazil, Chile and Argentina, Kroeger disclosed.
US-based Figg Engineering will supervise the venture which has a projected duration of 22 months.
Coordinator of the Works Services Group (WSG) in the ministry, Rickford Lowe noted the removal of serious traffic hazards, boosts in business for local contractors with sub-contracts, and the creation of employment opportunities are some of the positive results expected from the project.
The bridges are expected to last at least eighty years and since the components will be pre-fabricated, construction will take up less than the normal time, the release stated.
Participants in the signing of the contract were the ministry's Permanent Secretary Kenneth Jordan, Kroeger and Dywidag Senior Project Manager, Uwe Griesbach. IDB representative Sergio Varas Olea was also present at the ceremony. (Edlyn Benfield)
