Highway from Craig to Land of Canaan 50% complete -ministry

Construction of the new four-lane highway from Craig to Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, is approximately 50 per cent complete, with the Ministry of Housing targeting the first quarter of 2027 for completion.

Minister of Housing,  Collin Croal, yesterday inspected ongoing works along the corridor, which is being constructed in eight lots at an investment of approximately $52 billion. He was accompanied by Deputy Director of Projects,  Intakab Indarjeet, and senior engineers overseeing the project, a release from the ministry said.

The highway is being developed as an alternative route for commuters travelling along the East Bank corridor and into and out of Georgetown.

Land of Canaan will serve as the main exit point for this phase, while the Ministry is also examining the alignment to continue the artery from Land of Canaan towards Soesdyke.

During the inspection, Croal highlighted the project’s magnitude and complexity, noting that much of the highway is being built across previously undeveloped swamplands covered by thick vegetation.

Extensive land preparation and substantial quantities of sand filling have therefore been required. The nature of the terrain also requires adequate settlement periods, the release said.

The project includes significant drainage and irrigation infrastructure, culverts and other supporting works. Several major bridges  along the corridor will be undertaken under a separate project.

Croal emphasised that drainage and irrigation are integral to the development, particularly given the residential communities and farming activities surrounding the highway corridor. The Ministry has been working with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority which reviewed the drainage design and provided its no-objection, the release said.

The Minister also assessed progress on Lots 2 and 3, where works had a later start due in part to relocation exercises involving persons occupying lands within the road alignment. These included residents with legitimate ownership of lands as well as illegal occupants.

Despite the delays,  Croal said he is pleased with the progress made.