$196.1B budgeted to transform roads, bridges, transport network -Dr.Singh

Government has set aside $196.1 billion in the 2026 Budget to advance what it describes as a transformative expansion of Guyana’s transport infrastructure, with major highways, bridges, hinterland roads and new road-safety systems all slated for development.

Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, outlined the plans during his Budget presentation in the National Assembly on Monday.

“Mister Speaker, going forward, our vision for transport infrastructure includes the completion of the Linden to Lethem corridor, inclusive of a bridge at the Kurupukari crossing, with onward road linkage to the new deep water port in Berbice via a modern, four lane, high span bridge across the Berbice River,” Singh said.

He added that the old Demerara Harbour Bridge will be dismantled, relocated and reassembled to facilitate the Timheri to Sand Hills crossing, while also improving connectivity to the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam.

Singh said several major projects are already advancing, noting that “the Wismar Bridge is advanced in its completion,” alongside a number of highways and farm-to-market roads earmarked for construction or upgrade.

Outlining key projects for 2026, Singh said work will continue on the railway embankment four-lane highway from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau and onwards to the Mahaica River Bridge, for which $6.1 billion has been budgeted. He said the next phase will extend the highway to D’Edward, expected to commence in 2026.

“We’re continuing the Ogle to Eccles highway onwards to Providence and then to Diamond to provide additional access to the East Bank of the Demerara and to the West Bank of the Demerara, for which $13 billion is budgeted,” he said.

The Finance Minister also announced continued work on the Heroes Highway from Buzz Bee Dam to Land of Canaan, with $28.6 billion allocated, noting that the corridor will eventually connect to the Soesdyke to Linden Highway.

Additional allocations include $8.4 billion to continue upgrading the Good Success to Timehri Road, $13.1 billion for the Soesdyke to Linden Highway, $10.4 billion to complete the Linden to Mabura Hill Road, and $7.6 billion to commence the Mabura Hill to Kurupukari Road.

In Region Six, Singh said government will advance construction of the Palmyra to Moleson Creek Road, with $15.1 billion budgeted for the four-lane highway. A further $6.5 billion has been allocated for the Parika to Goshen Road and the Sand Hills to Moco Moco rail link.

Turning to community and hinterland roads, Singh reported that $55.6 billion was spent on community roads in 2025, with an additional $40.2 billion budgeted for 2026. For hinterland roads, he said $14.2 billion was spent in 2025, with $10 billion allocated for this year.

Recognising increased traffic volumes, Singh said government is strengthening road safety and enforcement through new technology.

“We are rolling out a fully automated speed ticketing system as part of a broader safe road intelligence system that uses advanced cameras and radar speed guns to allow for real time offense detection and automated issuance of tickets,” he said, adding that $382.9 million has been allocated for the initiative in 2026.

He also announced that 8,000 automatic speed regulators will be installed on trucks this year to limit speed and improve road safety.

Addressing congestion and safety concerns caused by heavy-duty trucks parked along public roads, Singh said government will develop dedicated parking facilities, with an initial site planned for Grove to accommodate over 390 trucks.

To protect road durability, Singh said emphasis is also being placed on weight control and enforcement.

“In 2025, 20 weigh-in-motion scales and 400 vehicle clamps were procured,” he said, adding that additional testing sites will be established in 2026, alongside stronger legislative and regulatory enforcement.

“Mister Speaker, for the development of our roads and bridges network, a total of $196.1 billion is budgeted, transforming the transport infrastructure of our country,” Singh said.