The 30 million dollar Haulover Bridge replacement project - work started in late 2021 and should have been finished in December of last year. But, it won't be ready until mid March - and that's just too late to cash in on it politically. After all, municipal elections are just weeks away.
So, there will be a temporary opening of the new Bridge commencing February 1, 2024.
A release says "The ministry informs that the works under this project are not entirely complete; however, this temporary opening is necessary to complete the tie-in of the new alignment to the Philip Goldson Highway and to facilitate necessary upgrades to underground public utility infrastructure."
So, how ready is it? We visited today:
For the past seven months commuters have been able to witness the transformation and construction of the new Haulover bridge. With only weeks away from completion, MIDH's team arrived at the final leg of the race this morning, as they began paving the almost 1800 foot long structure. Civil Engineer Megan Martinez who is overseeing the project gave us an update:
Megan Martinez, Quality Control Manager, Haulover Bridge Replacement Project
"Today is one of the busiest days that we are going to have because we are paving the road approach for the new Haulover bridge and also paving the bridge deck so that we can get the smoothest as possible surface for the drivers right. We are also finishing up the last section of the roundabout we are pouring today and basically after that we are just doing the final finishing touches before we open up the new bridge."
With only a few final touches left, it is expected to be one of the largest infrastructural attractions in the country. Martinez advises the public to abide by the bridge's speed warning to ensure its longevity.
Megan Martinez, Quality Control Manager, Haulover Bridge Replacement Project
"There was a public announcement to say that the speed limit on the bridge will be 25 mph. It's important that we keep our speed down just because remember as you were driving across the bridge. There are concrete crash barriers on both sides, so there is a little bit of a shoulder, but not enough for you to completely be out of the way so it is important for you to keep the speed down so that everybody has enough space to get to and from Belize City, so this speed is definitely a big thing. I want everyone to just remember that safety is number one we want this bridge to look as nice as possible for a very long amount of time."
For this engineer - her affection for the bridge is both professional and personal:
Megan Martinez
"It's been the best experience I've had to date I've been working nearly 5 years now but this has been my best experience because it's right where I grew up. I am from Belize city it's the longest bridge you know in Belize and we are doing the most to get the best quality out of everything I'm thankfully the people have been very patient we've tried to you know, minimize diversions, and minimize inconveniences for as long as possible, but I am just you know hoping that everyone can be patient just for a little while longer but as for challenges, not that many, we are thankful that we are building the bridge outside. It's a distance from the old bridge so we didn't have any obstructions, so it was smooth ceiling throughout it, so we are now coming up to the end and it's almost here everyone is seeing it come to life every day as you pass."
A PUBLIC NOTICE SAYS that pedestrians will NOT be allowed to access the new bridge as the safety hand railing is not fully installed. It adds that "there will be NO OVERTAKING on the bridge or its approaches."
