By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
After more than two years of missed deadlines, the long-delayed $1.45 billion Aubrey Barker Road four-lane expansion project is finally showing signs of steady progress, with works now moving “around the clock” to bring it to completion.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill confirmed that the project, initially slated for completion in July 2023, is now approximately 85% complete. Speaking with the Nightly News on Wednesday, the minister explained that pipe-laying challenges and other infrastructural constraints were among the leading causes of the delay.
“We were able to get some encumbrances that were part of the road removed, and we are doing some work with GWI to relocate the pipelines. After that, the road will be completed,” Edghill stated.
The project, awarded to Surrey Paving Aggregate Company Caribbean Limited, commenced in August 2022 and was designed to transform the busy Georgetown corridor into a modern, four-lane highway, easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity.
Despite mounting public frustration over its two-year delay, Edghill emphasized that intensive 24-hour shifts are now being enforced to ensure timely delivery.
Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali, who visited the construction site on Tuesday afternoon, assured that the Aubrey Barker Road expansion will be completed before the end of this year.
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly enhance traffic flow between South Ruimveldt, Lamaha Park, and surrounding communities, marking a key milestone in the government’s urban infrastructure modernization efforts.
