A long-envisioned road linking Guyana’s coast to its hinterland is nearing reality, promising to transform regional trade and connectivity. The Linden–Mabura Hill road project, a 121-kilometre all-weather highway under construction, is set to be spotlighted at the upcoming Caribbean-Brazil Summit on June 13 in Brasília. The roadway will extend from the mining town of Linden (Region 10) deep into central Guyana, and eventually form a critical segment of a future overland route connecting Guyana to northern Brazil. Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud heralded the project as the unfolding of the “Guyana-Brazil gateway,” noting it advances President Ali’s vision of Guyana as a logistical hub for northern Brazil and the wider Caribbean.
Funded by the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund alongside the Caribbean Development Bank, the Linden–Mabura road is engineered to climate-resilient standards to withstand heavy rainfall and challenging terrain. Upon completion, it will replace what is currently a difficult laterite trail with a sturdy paved highway, drastically reducing travel time between Georgetown and interior regions. The new road is expected to spur economic activity for hinterland communities by improving access to markets, health services, and education. It will also facilitate cross-border commerce – effectively creating a land bridge between South America’s two fastest-growing oil producers, Guyana and Brazil. “This will foster greater trade opportunities with nearby South American nations,” Persaud explained, emphasizing that local businesses stand to benefit from increased traffic and easier export routes.
Beyond trade, officials highlight significant social impacts: the project has already generated hundreds of construction jobs, with local contractors engaged in various phases. Once operational, maintenance of the highway will provide ongoing employment and business for roadside communities. Regional leaders see the Linden–Mabura road as just one piece of a broader push for connectivity – plans are on the drawing board to eventually extend a highway all the way to Lethem at the Brazilian border, and to construct a deep-water port to complete a northern trade corridor. As Guyana’s oil production surges (set to exceed 900,000 barrels per day by August, surpassing Venezuela), such infrastructure is deemed vital to diversify the economy and cement Guyana’s role in continental trade. The project’s inclusion on the agenda of the Brazil summit underscores its geopolitical importance. For Guyanese, it symbolizes tangible development reaching the heartland – a roadway to opportunity that was promised for generations finally taking shape.
Region: Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10)
