Despite that seemingly meager lifespan, the bridge is still going strong. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. “After government decided to build the bridge, they had to send someone to inspect similar ones abroad. He also said the bridge must be built within the timeline given by President Dr Irfaan Ali, three years. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Use our Georgetown trip itinerary builder app to visit Demerara Harbour Bridge on your trip to Georgetown, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby. Saturday, July 25 from 22:00hrs (10pm) to Sunday, July 26 at 04:00hrs (4am). – Expressions of Interest to be sought from today, community consultations soon. He also said the bridge must be built within the timeline given by President Dr Irfaan Ali, three years. The 1.25 mile long Demerara Harbour Bridge- the main link between East and West Demerara for people and cargo- was opened in July 1978 and was expected to last only 10 years, but its life-span has been expanded. It was built across the Demerara River at one of the river’s widest points. The bridge’s most impressive statistic is its length. Happy New Year! The Police are investigating a hit and run accident which occurred on the Zeelugt Public Road, East Bank Essequibo on Thursday night. From midday, there will only be a single lane traffic at the east bridge approach until 15:00hrs. This was disclosed by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, who was tasked with the responsibility of presenting the PPP/C Government’s $330 Billion National Budget for 2020. The PPP/C Government has since moved to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the design and construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. But this deficiency is being addressed by a multi-purpose rapid transit system now in the works and in which the bridge is a link situated at the Peters Hall/Nandy Park exit leading to the city. The Demerara Harbour Bridge has been in operation for 40 years and has long passed its technical lifetime. I will lend my voice to that chorus which says that we should keep both bridges.” He also called the bridge a “tangible heritage” to all Guyanese. … Peter's Hall, East Bank Demerara, Guyana. The contract covers the production of a Feasibility Study and the Design for the new Demerara River Crossing. The bridge is still in operation today. This allows the ships to pass up the Demerara River to load and unload its cargo, which mostly consists of the products the country … However, the awarding of that contract was marred in controversy, with the Auditor General Deodat Sharma pointing to major breaches of Guyana’s financial laws. Private Trip: Immersive Art and Otherworldly Landscapes of Santa Fe, Culinary Naples: Producers, Purveyors, and Pizzaioli, Living Between Cultures: Storytelling With Justine Abigail Yu, A Lockpicking Practicum With Schuyler Towne, The Secret of Seattle's Disappearing Hill, Meet the World's Least-Charismatic Orchid, Why an Alaskan Hospital Added Reindeer Pot Pie and Seal Soup to Its Menu, Meet the Rats That Wear Protective Poison Armor. Dr Singh said the current Demerara Harbour Bridge has outlived its usefulness and relevance to Guyana of today. Guyana's Longest Floating Bridge Learn more about the Demerara Harbour Bridge The Management of the Demerara Habour Bridge Corporation hereby advises commuters effective January 2, 2020 , the weight for all categories of vehicles will be reduced from 22.5 metric tons to 18 metric tons and special crossing from 25 to 22 metric tons . The bridge was funded by the British Government and was designed, manufactured, and erected by Thos Storey, a bridge construction company established in Stockport, England, in the 1930s. Crossing the Demerara Harbour Bridge on the journey to work leads to a stygian nightmare–long lines of stalled and clamouring traffic with nowhere to go. The new PPP/C Administration has begun the process of making the burdensome traffic on the 42-year-old Demerara Harbour Bridge a thing of the past. At its high span, it has a vertical clearance of 26 feet (7.9 meters) and a horizontal clearance of 105 feet (32 meters), allowing small craft to pass at all times. During the morning hours on a typical weekday, the traffic on the eastern side of the bridge is halted to allow those on the West Bank to use both bridge lanes to enter the East Bank. The Demerara Harbour Bridge connects West Demerara from Versailles and East Demerara from Peter’s Hall. The bridge has 61 spans, with the whole thing kept afloat by 114 pontoons. Based on information... New Year's Message from the Peoples National Congress  The bridge was commissioned in July 1978 and was design to last for 10 years. The new Demerara Harbour Bridge will be from Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara to La Grange, West Bank Demerara, the Department of Public Information noted. In July 2018, Minister of State Joseph Harmon argued that there was no reason to demolish the existing structure, saying “I see absolutely no sensible reason to decommission one, where you have another one. The future of the bridge, however, is uncertain. It was built across the Demerara River at one of the river’s widest points. The construction of the bridge took 10 months of a total of only 2 years for the whole project. The bridge has an ongoing retraction schedule to allow large vessels to pass through. 592 233 7007 592 233 7008 592 233 7010 The Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into the award of the 2016 contract to LievenseCSO to conduct a feasibility study and design of a new Demerara Harbour Bridge.. Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill made the disclosure during Friday’s installation of the Board of Directors for the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC). The bridge was commissioned in July 1978 and was design to last for 10 years. “Within the last few weeks, we have rekindled huge interest in this project, work is currently being done to put us on a path to facilitate the launching of Expression of Interest for the design, construction and financing options for a four-lane high-span bridge across the Demerara River,” Edghill announced. The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a landmark and a major transportation link between the East bank and the West bank of the Demerara River. Book your tickets online for Demerara Harbour Bridge, Georgetown: See 78 reviews, articles, and 21 photos of Demerara Harbour Bridge, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 33 attractions in Georgetown. Dr Singh said the current Demerara Harbour Bridge has outlived its usefulness and relevance to Guyana of today. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. In 2017, it was officially announced that a new bridge will be built a mile or so north of the existing bridge, with a completion date of 2020. The Demerara Harbour Bridge connects West Demerara from Versailles and East Demerara from Peter’s Hall. GUYANA’S infrastructural transformation is expected to be catalysed by the construction of a new ‘fly-over’ Demerara Harbour Bridge which will stretch from Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD). See. The current Demerara Harbour Bridge [DPI photo]The current administration has begun the process that would see a modern four-lane high span bridge built across the Demerara River. A replica of the what the new ‘fly over’ Demerara Harbour Bridge is expected to look like. Offer subject to change without notice. Local legend says Isaac Newton built this footbridge without any screws, bolts, or nails. The highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore looks like a series of undulating waves rising between two public parks. There are currently... © 2017 INEWS Guyana. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. No purchase necessary. The long retraction time causes major traffic congestion. Minister Singh said the new Demerara River crossing will make a dramatic contribution to the improvement of the country’s transport infrastructure. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Today, Holder is 75 years old, burnt red from the innumerable days in the sun, is one of Guyana’s top engineers. When it was built, the Demerara Harbour Bridge was only designed to last 10 years. He has expertly spearheaded the construction of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, run the country’s power company and helped build the Abary Bridge, which links the counties of Demerara and Berbice. The Demerara Harbour Bridge located in Georgetown Guyana is a 6,074-feet (1,851 m) long floating toll bridge. You can check the schedule at the Demerara Harbour Bridge website. Since 2015, plans have been afoot to build a new bridge over the Demerara River. The Demerara Harbour Bridge crosses from Peter’s Hall to Meer Zorgen. The bridge is the third built structure to span the Demerara River but is the first and only floating bridge … Can Nostalgia Save Oregon’s Beloved Psychedelic Theme Park? The Demerara Harbour Bridge spans the Demerara River about three miles south of the Guyanese capital of Georgetown. 3. The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a landmark and a major transportation link between the East bank and the West bank of the Demerara River. The end could be nigh for the Demerara Harbour Bridge, unless some vocal supporters get their way. Abary is a small community in the Mahaica-Berbice Region of Guyana, near the mouth of the Abary River, 43 miles from Georgetown.Abary is known for the Abary Bridge located on the Main Highway. The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a landmark and a major transportation link between the East bank and the West bank of the Demerara River. The Guyana government has been told that tolls for crossing the new Demerara Harbour Bridge in 2020 should be increased by at least 250 percent and river vessel tolls by 700 percent to make way for government to contribute US$39.3 million in five years. The bridge is the third built structure to span the Demerara River but is the first and only floating bridge to do so. By Navendra Seoraj. The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation this morning signed a contract with Dutch company LievenseCSO. All rights reserved. The Management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation has announced that the bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic for a period of six hours at the next weekend. A monument to Cuffy, a rebellious enslaved person who became a national hero in Guyana. You have to understand, this bridge was a new thing for Guyana.” #1 Demerara Harbour Bridge Unclassified Updated: 2020-04-14 The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a 6,074 ft long floating toll bridge. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. © 2021 Atlas Obscura. Enter your email address to subscribe to this website and receive notifications of new posts by email. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Address: Demerara Harbour Bridge, Georgetown, Guyana. Website Solution/Maintenance by, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Further $700M needed to operationalise “Ocean View” Covid-19 facility, Lodge man injured in New Year morning accident, 5 hospitalised following EBD lorry-car collision, We will continue to ensure a good life for all Guyanese – APNU+AFC, Let us, as a nation, recommit to working resolutely together in 2021 – PPP, Barbados introduces updated COVID-19 travel protocols, 7 homeless after fire guts Corentyne house, Sleeping volcanoes rumble to life in the eastern Caribbean. Winner will be selected at random on 02/01/2021. With the majority of Guyana’s population living in or around Georgetown, the bridge was a vital transportation link across the Demerara River, connecting the main part of the capital with West Bank Demerara. At the time of its construction, it was the longest floating bridge in the world. By Navendra Seoraj. This was disclosed by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, who was tasked with the responsibility of presenting the PPP/C Government’s $330 Billion National Budget for 2020. During the signing of the contract, Minister within the Ministry of … Though dynamited and defaced, the statue still stands outside the law courts in Georgetown, Guyana. It was commissioned on 2 July 1978. The bridge includes a 240ft wide retractor span to allow the free passage of bulk ore carriers to the open sea as well as a raised section to facilitate the daily movement of small river craft and fishing boats. He also said the bridge must be built within the timeline given by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, three years. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Not long after it took office in 2015, the APNU/AFC Government announced that it would seek to have a bridge built across the Demerara River and engaged in efforts to have a feasibility study for the project. The toll is $200 Guyanese dollars, which is about $1 USD. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. The bridge was commissioned in July 1978 and was design to last for 10 years. The largest market in Guyana, designed and built by the Edge Moor Iron Company of Delaware. The current Demerara Harbour Bridge [DPI photo] The current administration has begun the process that would see a modern four-lane high span bridge built across the Demerara River. GUYANA (DPI, September 26, 2020) – President Irfaan Ali, says the government will be convening an inter-agency committee next week to oversee the consultations on the project to build a new, state-of-the-art harbour bridge. The Demerara Harbour Bridge The DHB will hold a press conference at noon today to provide an update on developments. The Demerara Harbour Bridge (right). “Toll tariff rates are advised to be increased to 250 % of the present 2017 road toll rates. The Demerara Harbour Bridge normally posts schedules and time for when the bridge will be opened for river traffic. Georgetown’s most impressive building is also one of the tallest wooden churches in the world. The bridge was commissioned in July 1978 and was design to last for 10 years. It was commissioned to be a major transportation link between the main city of Georgetown and West Bank Demerara. It is a toll bridge, although traffic running west to east doesn't have to pay. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Government has announced that it will be embarking on studies for an alternative to the aging Demerara Harbour Bridge. The remnants of this unusual bridge await an uncertain fate. The bridge is still in operation today. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. Demerara Harbour Bridge: The bottleneck bridge - See 78 traveller reviews, 21 candid photos, and great deals for Georgetown, Guyana, at Tripadvisor. Demerara Harbour Bridge, Georgetown: See 78 reviews, articles, and 21 photos of Demerara Harbour Bridge, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 33 attractions in Georgetown. Traveling across the Demerara River on the Demerara Harbor Bridge. President Ali explained that the project would see an interagency approach, with help from the private sector. The closure will likely spark severe chaos for West Demerara … To Span Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara and LaGrange, West Bank Demerara. 2020 Might Be a Year Best Looked at From Above, How a Blacksmith in Jordan Created His Own Sign Language, In Naples, Praying With Skulls Is an Ancient Tradition, Inside a Domed Pyramid With Astounding Acoustics and a History of Miracles, Vauxhall Bridge's Miniature St. Paul's Cathedral, currently held by the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, https://guyanatimesgy.com/the-new-demerara-harbour-bridge/, http://demerarawaves.com/2018/07/01/keep-existing-demerara-harbour-bridge-harmon/, https://www.enr.com/articles/44013-the-10-longest-floating-bridges-in-the-world, https://harbourbridge.gov.gy/about-the-bridge/, http://www.thos-storey.co.uk/demerara_bridge.php. Sitting across the Demerara River, approximately 6km from the river’s mouth, spanning from Peter’s Ha… GUYANA’S infrastructural transformation is expected to be catalysed by the construction of a new ‘fly-over’ Demerara Harbour Bridge which will stretch from Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD). Despite being required to last for only 10 years during which a permanent structure was to be built it is still, the only alternative to river ferries over 30 years later and is used by over 24000 vehicles a day. The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a landmark and a major transportation link between the East bank and the West bank of the Demerara River. At the time of its construction, it was the longest floating bridge in the world. Demerara Harbour Bridge to be closed to vehicular traffic for six hours next weekend . Joe Holder. Retractable section of the Demerara Harbor Bridge. TEL. The top spot is currently held by the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge that carries Washington State Route 520 across Lake Washington from Seattle to its eastern suburbs. The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a landmark and a major transportation link between the East bank and the West bank of the Demerara River. Demerara Harbour Bridge For all his achievements and challenging undertakings, however, the Demerara Harbour Bridge is what many Guyanese would remember Holder for. Stretching for 6,074 feet (1,851 meters), it currently ranks as the fourth-longest floating bridge in the world. The bridge is no longer able to service the present and future traffic demand. This excitement, however, I am sure is now tempered with the facts that are becoming public and as such a public discussion is current. At the time, a feasibility study declared that the existing bridge “has long passed its technical lifetime.”. – Expressions of Interest to be sought from today, community consultations soon. According to Head of NICIL, Mr Winston Brassington, the new bridge over the Demerara River is to be built by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), … That bridge will have a lifespan of at least 50 years and will be a four-lane, high-span, fixed bridge from Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara to La Grange, West Bank Demerara. The settlement of Wales Hamlet, nestled between the Demerara river to the east and East Bank Essequibo to the west, will be built as close as possible to zero carbon standards and will be fully-appointed and offer luxuriously green living within easy reach of the river, the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Georgetown and local airports. A tiny replica of the iconic London landmark hides on the side of the steel structure. The bridge was commissioned on July 2, 1978. 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