Original Berbice River Bridge under construction in 2007. Photo: Ian Mackenzie.
President Irfaan Ali says the government is aiming to award the contract for the new Berbice River Bridge before the end of 2026. As of his 13 November briefing, the technical team was still working on the project, and financing and proposed terms remained under discussion. No award, final contract price or construction start was announced.
The proposed four-lane, high-span bridge would replace the floating crossing between D’Edward Village in Region Five and Crab Island in Region Six. The National Trust of Guyana records that the existing bridge opened in December 2008. Friday’s update said seven prequalified firms had been asked for price quotations and that the government had acquired about 50 properties on the eastern side of the river. The acquisitions indicate progress on land for the project, but do not establish that the full site is ready for construction.
The November briefing set out a different milestone from the one outlined in May. At that time, Ali said that the price and financing were in their final stages and that construction was expected to start before year-end. A preferred bidder had been identified in November 2025. Friday’s briefing gave a year-end target for awarding the contract but did not name an awardee or give a revised construction start date.
What the budget does and does not cover
The 2026 Budget speech sets aside G$12.2 billion across several bridge projects, including Berbice, Kurupukari and Wismar, as well as continued engagement on the proposed Corentyne crossing. It is not a price for the Berbice bridge. The Corentyne project, which would link Guyana and Suriname, is separate and remains the subject of bilateral talks.
For a contractor or materials supplier looking at work around Palmyra, an award would identify which firm to approach. A signed scope and mobilisation timetable would show when it makes sense to commit trucks, equipment or stock. The Palmyra–Moleson Creek highway already has its own budget allocation; the Berbice bridge is a separate decision. Until an award is disclosed, neither a year-end target nor the wider work along the corridor gives suppliers a start date for this crossing.
Photo note: Pilings for the Berbice River bridge by Ian Mackenzie, CC BY 2.0. Resized.
