Editing Transport in Guyana (section)

===Bridges===
[[Image:Demerara Harbour bridge crossing.JPG|thumb|The Demerara Harbour Bridge crosses mouth of the [[Demerara River]]. It is a [[pontoon bridge|floating bridge]].]] The coastal main road system is not continuous. There are gaps whenever it intersects the Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice Rivers. People and goods move across these gaps by ferry systems as well as the [[Demerara Harbour Bridge]] (DHB) and the [[Berbice Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://opnew.op.gov.gy/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=335%3Apresident-commissions-new-berbice-river-bridge&Itemid=70| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721084803/http://opnew.op.gov.gy/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=335:president-commissions-new-berbice-river-bridge&Itemid=70| archive-date = 2011-07-21| title = President commissions new Berbice River Bridge}}</ref>

The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a two-lane floating toll bridge, {{convert|1.2|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} long, near the mouth of the Demerara River. It is primarily a low-level bridge which possesses an elevated span with a vertical clearance of {{convert|26|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} in the middle of the river to permit small craft to pass. In addition, across the shipping channel, there are two spans which retract to permit the passage of ocean-going vessels. From mid-1998 toll revenue has been credited to the account of the DHB and not to the Government of Guyana, as it was until then. This is a step towards the establishment of the DHB as an autonomous [[statutory authority]]. At present the toll revenue does not meet the operational and maintenance costs of the bridge; the government of Guyana provides considerable subsidy for its upkeep. The bridge has been in existence since 1978 and currently notwithstanding the rigorous maintenance regime, sits at the end of its useful life.

[[Image:LethemBridge.jpg|thumb|left|Construction continues on a bridge linking Guyana and Brazil at Lethem.]]

In 2007, construction resumed on the [[Takutu River Bridge]] to link Guyana and Brazil in the southwest region of Guyana near Lethem. The bridge was officially opened on September 14, 2009, enabling economic interests in northern Brazil to link by road to the port at Georgetown. Unprecedented construction and population growth in Lethem since the bridge's opening reflects the significantly increased traffic and movement of goods facilitated by the bridge. The Takutu Bridge is seen as the first of several joint projects between Guyana and Brazil intended to facilitate cargo traffic: Brazil is expected to subsidize the paving of the Lethem-to-Georgetown road, a development that would have profound impacts on the area's economy and environment. Dredging of the Georgetown port to accommodate deeper-draft cargo  vessels is also being planned.