Major Highways and Bridges to be Repaired and Upgraded in 2023

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development has a slew of projects in the pipeline for 2023, with a focus on improving infrastructure across the country. The Ministry’s Chief Engineer, Evondale Moody, explains that major projects, including the Coastal Road, will be completed. The Coastal Road project, which spans over thirty miles along the eastern coast of Belize, will improve access to remote communities and tourism destinations.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing: “We will be completing the Coastal Highway. We had the bank, well the bank is still within the country this week Caribbean Development Bank visiting to monitor the progress of works. We have substantially completed that project. The entire thirty six miles is paved and so we expect that by May/June we will complete 100% with all the road furnitures marking and guardrails and sign for that project.”

Moody says that they will also be completing the Caracol road upgrade project out west. He adds that the first phase has been implemented, and the ministry is expecting to implement phase two.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing: “We have completed phase one which includes the section from Georgeville to Tripartite Junction going through San Antonio Cristo Rey to Santa Elena and also from Tripartite to Pinol. We have awarded three contracts for the second phase of the Caracol project which is approximately 42 kilometers and that is to upgrade from Pinol Bridge to the Mayan Ruin and that is currently being implemented by Cisco Construction and that is expected for completion within the next twenty four months.”

The ministry is also looking to procure funds for the replacement of the Swing Bridge and Bel-Can Bridge in Belize City. Moody says that a feasibility study has been completed and a design has been made, but they are working to get the funding to execute the project.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing: “So we’re seeking the funds for the two bridges from the Japanese so if we get that grant they will provide the funding for both structures if that grant is approved an so that is only left with the road works from Belize City to Belmopan which we have consulted with the Caribbean Development Bank and also the Kuwait Fund so either one we believe will come through this year. Both bridges are estimated at approximately $24 million Belize dollars for both structures. If we obtain funding from Japan it may be a little bit higher because with that grant fund we have to engage a Japanese company.”