By Marvin Cato | October 7, 2025
Just one day after its grand opening, the US$262 million Bharat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge faced major traffic congestion on Monday morning, frustrating commuters and raising questions about the project’s planning and execution.
The much-celebrated bridge — touted as a modern replacement for the aging Demerara Harbour Bridge — quickly delivered a déjà vu experience for thousands of motorists stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic during their morning commute.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, addressing the chaos in a Monday afternoon press conference, admitted that the traffic buildup was due to incomplete works on the bridge’s western access road, which he said should be finished within two weeks.
“Over the next several days, the Chinese contractor will be working day and night to complete that lane,” Edghill said, adding that the completion of the access road is expected to ease congestion on the bridge’s West Bank approach.
However, the minister’s comments have done little to quiet criticism from the public, who questioned why the supporting infrastructure was not completed before the bridge’s commissioning.
According to Edghill, Monday’s delays were primarily caused by “uncertainty” among drivers unfamiliar with the new traffic routes and roundabout system.
“It would appear that this morning, sufficient public information did not reach every road user, so we were having some issues earlier,” he explained.
Despite the government’s extensive communications machinery, many Guyanese expressed disbelief that a lack of public education on traffic changes could still occur for such a high-profile project. Observers described the situation as a sign of “rushed opening and poor logistical coordination.”
Edghill said ministry officials and contractors were “on-site in the roundabout” Monday morning to assess the situation personally and promised corrective measures to prevent future congestion.
“We met onsite, stood in the roundabout, observed the traffic, and we want to ensure that we don’t have a repeat of this morning,” he said.
The minister has since ordered a renewed public awareness campaign to educate drivers on the proper use of the roundabouts.
Constructed by China Railway Construction (International) Limited, with Politecnica serving as supervisory consultant, the bridge is designed for a 100-year lifespan, will operate 24/7 toll-free, and has a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h.
But for many commuters, the first full day of operation revealed that even the most modern engineering feat can be brought to a standstill without proper planning.
