The ongoing delays in the construction of the New Demerara River Bridge have sparked further controversy after the completion date was revised multiple times. Originally set for December 31, 2024, the deadline was then pushed to March 31, 2025, before being extended again to August 31, 2025.
Last week, Minister of Public Works -formerly Public Infrastructure- Juan Edghill said construction of the bridge has resumed following a court ruling to proceed without disruption, and thus far 78 per cent of the overall project has been completed, and 62 per cent of the bridge has been constructed.
However, anything minister says is subjected to questioning given past pronouncements on date completion of projects which never materialized Two such was the Le Repentir Cemetery Road and the 12-storey office complex. Shadow Minister of Housing and Water, Annette Ferguson kept the minister’s feet to fire and exposed his duplicity.
Government’s latest revision to 31st August 2025 has been met with strong criticism from former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson who has called the new timeline “impossible.”
Government recently announced that of the total 472 required girders, 121 are already been manufactured, and right girders have been placed on the West Bank and 16 on the East Bank Demerara.
The project, which is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and connectivity across the River, has faced numerous setbacks since its inception. The Demerara River Bridge is a key piece of infrastructure for the country, yet repeated delays have raised concerns over the management and execution of the project.
Patterson, Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC) and Member of Parliament, who has been vocal about the project’s delays, condemned the government’s handling of the situation. He argued that the August 2025 completion date is unrealistic, given the current pace of construction and the unresolved issues surrounding the project.
The project’s repeated delays have led to frustration among the public, especially those who rely on the existing bridge and ferry services. Despite the government’s reassurances, the impact of these delays continues to affect daily commuters, as well as the country’s economic activities that depend on improved infrastructure.
Critics also point to the lack of transparency and clear communication regarding the reasons for the delays. While officials have cited various factors such as logistics and unforeseen technical challenges, the government’s handling of the project has been under increasing scrutiny.