In just three weeks, Belize City traffic is set for a major upheaval. April 20th marks the simultaneous start of two massive, three-year projects: the replacement of both the Belcan and Swing Bridges.
The Belcan project will span 34 months, involving a temporary bypass and full demolition before the new structure opens in early 2029. Meanwhile, the Swing Bridge replacement begins with a seven-month temporary bridge construction, followed by demolition in October. Work on the construction of the replacement will start after that in February 2027 and the new Swing Bridge isn't expected to be fully operational until February 2029. It is an unprecedented double-blow to city mobility, and Mayor Bernard Wagner admits the road ahead will be painful for residents.
Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"It will take a lot of sacrifice I must say, a lot of pain, lot of disruption, I will be real, a lot of disruption for residents and they will have to really embrace it because at the end of the day we have two new bridges in the city, have a beautiful stretch of road from the Pound Yard Bridge leading out of the city, and that drives development, that drives economic activity and we are so happy to be able to at least participate in that with those 3 projects."
