Published: 5th of October, 2025 by Patrick Carpen
Last updated: October 6, 2025 at 8:39 amCover Photo: Sanjay Ally.
The Government of Guyana today, 5th of October, 2025, officially declared open the new bridge across the Demerara River which was built to replace the outdated Demerara Harbor Bridge. Thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life joined the government sponsored bridge opening ceremony which included a celebrated “walk across” from one end of the bridge to the other – approximately 2 kilometers.
The video below shows drone footage of the walk over activity on this bridge this evening. Video Credit: Budee Bee Facebook
President Irfaan Ali announced shortly after the opening ceremony that the bridge will be named the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge in honor of veteran Guyanese politician Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo who currently serves as Vice President of Guyana and leader of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic. Dr. Jagdeo began his political career in the early 1990s, serving the PPP/C under the leadership of party founder Dr. Cheddi Jagan, before being elected President himself in the late 1990s or early 2000s.
The new Demerara River Bridge started construction around 2021, shortly after the PPP/C took office from defeated coalition government APNU/AFC. The contract was awarded to a Chinese Construction company which undertook the construction. The final months leading up to the completion was hyped up and filled with anticipation. Local publications ran story after story about how awesome this new infrastructural development is for Guyanese. Photographers and videographers strained their equipment on the iconic new structure, reeling off video after video, and photoshoot after photoshoot.
The video below shows a drone flyer of new bridge. Video Credit: Ameer Sattaur Photography
This new bridge became the talk of the town, city, and country. And rightly so…. After all, the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge is more than a step forward: it’s a giant leap into the future of Guyana, and a clear reflection of the power that oil revenues have in transforming a country. Prior to this new bridge, Guyanese would use the old Demerara Harbor Bridge to cross from Region 4 to Region 3 or vice versa. The old bridge was often congested for a variety of reasons. First of all, there were opening and closing hours due to water transport: the bridge had to be opened to let river vessels pass. Secondly, the old Demerara Harbor Bridge only sported two lanes: one left and one right: a humble contrast to the new bridge which sports four lanes. And finally, persons had to stop to pay a toll before proceeding over the bridge.
The Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge is a magnificent structure with four lanes plus cycle and pedestrian lanes. It will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will be absolutely toll free for all vehicles. This iconic bridge is an upgrade to Guyanese infrastructure which runs parallel to many other infrastructural works which have been silently running in the background. Guyana’s oil wealth is being used to bridge communities all across the country. The Government of Guyana is now setting its eyes on the fast-tracked completion of the all-weather modern highway linking Georgetown to Lethem, Region 9, which has already started.
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