New drains being built to buttress East Bank four-lane road
Stabroek News
February 13, 2004
The bridges of four Eccles homes have been removed to allow for the building of concrete drains to complement the proposed four-lane roadway between Ruimveldt and the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Apart from assuring proper drainage of the area, the drains will act as buttresses for the widened roadway, Construction Supervisor David Johnson told Stabroek News yesterday during a site visit.
Temporary wooden structures have been erected to allow residents access to their yards. When the drains are completed, permanent bridg-es, preferably of concrete will be built, Johnson said.
Concrete drains are being built throughout the roadway and this will see other bridges and advertising boards among other things being moved.
Johnson was satisfied with the level of cooperation received from residents.
This was evident yesterday as workmen from the construction firm were allowed into several yards.
Work began in early January at different locations and has created some measure of disruption to the travelling public and residents along the route.
Work is also progressing in Ruimveldt outside the western fence of Geddes Grant Company and Ainlim.
Meanwhile, several vendors positioned at intervals along the roadway will shortly be forced to move. One such person is fruit vendor, Azad, a resident of Eccles Housing Scheme who sells at the entrance to the scheme.
Azad has been retailing a variety of fruits acquired from farmers in Black Bush Polder, Berbice and the Pomeroon since 1989. Prior to this he sold utensils as an itinerant vendor, which he started after being asked by members of the city constabulary to vacate a spot in the vicinity of Brown Betty in the city, where he had been selling coconuts.
"It look like they gun tek me out of bread again," remarked Azad when questioned on the possibility of having to move when work begins on widening the roadway near to where he has his stand.
However, his stand is a portable one which could be shifted easily.
Malrick, who along with another lad operates a barbershop in close proximity to Azad's fruit stand, has already made alternative arrangements. "I plan to move back behind that pipe there", Malrick said pointing to a length of PVC stuck in the ground behind his stand which he said was planted by persons who measured the width of the roadway.
According to the barber, visits were made to his stand about its removal on two occasions, but he was not present. He subsequently learnt that if he shifted to behind the pipe he would be out of the way of construction.
He was also informed about moving by the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) when he visited the group about continuing to ply his trade on the road verge.
Malrick, who is an electrician by profession, said he started cutting hair as a means of making a living since there are currently few jobs around. Apart from shifting his business back, Malrick has plans to improve it but this would depend on him clearing his ideas with the NDC. He has been operating at the spot for approximately one year.
There were five other wooden stalls in the immediate vicinity, which were tightly locked. Malrick said their owners did not frequent the area.
Work on the western side of the approach to the DHB is being undertaken simultaneously.