Georgetown, Guyana – Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has assured business owners along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) corridor that the ongoing US$192 million road expansion project will not disrupt their operations. Speaking during a stakeholders’ consultation, Edghill emphasized that the project is designed to enhance accessibility and safety while supporting economic growth in the region.

The ECD Road Expansion Project involves upgrading the Railway Embankment Road to a four-lane highway from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau and widening the existing ECD public road between Orange Nassau and Mahaica. Additionally, the two-lane stretch between Belfield and Orange Nassau will undergo rehabilitation. The project also includes constructing 42 culverts, 76 bridges, and a bridge across the Hope Canal to improve connectivity.

Business owners had raised concerns about the installation of medians along the thoroughfare, fearing it could negatively impact customer access. Edghill reassured them that median openings were strategically planned with safety and accessibility as top priorities. He pointed to similar concerns raised during previous projects, such as the Mandela Avenue upgrade, where businesses continued to thrive despite initial skepticism.

“The policy of this government is to support business development, not hinder it,” Edghill stated. He invited stakeholders to propose alternative solutions within a week if they had concerns about specific aspects of the design, though he clarified that any changes would need to align with safety standards and overall project goals.

The project, financed through a concessional loan from China’s Export-Import Bank, aims to reduce traffic congestion and accommodate increased industrial activity in areas like Enmore, which is being developed as an industrial zone. The upgrades are expected to facilitate smoother traffic flow, reduce travel time, and support the movement of goods and services across the region.

As Guyana’s economy continues its rapid expansion, infrastructure projects like this are seen as critical to sustaining growth and improving quality of life for citizens. The government remains committed to balancing development with minimal disruption to businesses and communities along key corridors.