Linden Kwakani/Ituni road to have toll system

Mar 23, 2015 News

– bridge crossing to replace barge system at Kurupukari
Government plans to implement a toll system for the Linden/Ituni/Kwakani road, in light of the constant damage caused by heavy-duty trucks.
This is according to Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn, who stated that trucks loaded over the standard weight were primarily responsible, not only for the deterioration of the roads, but also for damage to the wooden and concrete bridges in the interior.
He also mentioned the weather as a factor.

A section of the Kwakani Ituni Road

According to Benn, the Government would take responsibility for the toll system.
“It is necessary to toll the road and manage the passage of vehicles. These roads were un-surfaced roads with usually poor materials used for surfacing.”
Asked about the timeline for completion of this project, Benn stated that though a middle of the year deadline had been anticipated, they have had to take several factors into consideration and were expecting it to come on stream by the third quarter of the year.
The Linden/Ituni/Kwakani road has been a source of contention between residents and the government. Residents have taken steps to block the road in the past, citing its deplorable condition.
Bai Shan Lin has also come under fire for contributing to the deteriorating condition of the road, in light of the fact that many of its container trucks traverse the road. Rains have also added its potency to the mix.
Benn also mentioned the building of a bridge crossing the Essequibo River at Kurupukari, which he said would increase the overall feasibility of the road.
He stated that the system currently in place is the barge crossing, which can only be done during daylight hours owing to the wide area and the presence of rocks in the river. Benn said that the bridge would reduce the two-hour journey by barge.
According to the minister, his ministry is in the process of completing the design.