The Government of Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment to constructing a new, modern Berbice River Bridge, a transformative infrastructure project that promises to boost connectivity, trade, and economic development in Regions Five and Six.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali first announced the vision for a new fixed high-span, four-lane bridge in 2022, with the aim of replacing the current 1.57-kilometre floating structure that has served the region since 2008. The new bridge is designed to eliminate the need for retractions, ensuring uninterrupted movement for both marine and vehicular traffic, and will be built to the same modern standards as the new Demerara River Bridge currently under construction.
The government has already made significant progress in laying the groundwork for the project. Over 50 properties along the eastern bank of the Berbice River have been acquired to facilitate construction. Following an international tender, seven overseas companies were shortlisted to submit bids, with financial proposals from five major international joint ventures now under evaluation. The bids for the project range from over US$200 million to nearly US$465 million.
Senior government officials, including Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, have emphasized that the bridge will support ongoing economic expansion, create hundreds of jobs during construction, and reduce transportation costs for residents and businesses. The project is expected to enhance access to the Palmyra industrial zone, support the gas-to-energy project, and facilitate the development of new port facilities.
While the government has allocated $5 billion in the 2025 national budget for the bridge, officials have cautioned that actual construction is unlikely to begin before the upcoming General and Regional Elections. The evaluation of bids and contract negotiations are ongoing, and the administration has assured that the bridge will be completed in the next term in office.
President Ali has also pledged that, once operational, the new Berbice River Bridge will be toll-free, aligning with the government’s wider efforts to make major river crossings more accessible to all Guyanese. The project stands as a flagship initiative in the government’s broader plan to modernize national infrastructure and unlock new opportunities for economic growth across the country.
