PM says Orange Walk Streets to be upgraded
John Briceño
Back to the House Meeting…Much has been said about the state of streets in Orange Walk Town. Last week the Orange Walk chapter of the B.T.I.A. wrote a letter to PM Barrow imploring government to step in and fix streets in the town. G.O.B. hasn’t responded officially, but today Prime Minister Dean Barrow told Orange Walk Central Area Representative John Briceño that help is on the way.
John Briceño, Area Representative, Orange Walk Central
“The highway is in such a bad state of disrepair that it has affected several businesses, many businesses because as you know Mister Speaker, we are famous for our tacos and a lot of people on their way to Chetumal, they stop in Orange Walk and eat their tacos. But because the road has been so bad, they start to use the bypass and they don’t pass through Orange Walk Town. Even the DPM, when he is going home, ih noh pass through the highway; ih go through the bypass to get to his home through Trial Farm. But everybody is being affected Mister Speaker on this issue as we pointed out and they are saying now that there is going to be a petition drive that will be organized by the B.T.I.A. to show the discontent of Orange Walkeños.”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
Dean Barrow
“The work has started on the Philip Goldson Highway; in fact there was a groundbreaking ceremony—was it on Monday—the work has started; we are doing it a mile at a time. The first mile is one point six million dollars and as soon as that is done, we will in fact do the second mile and so on until we complete the entire four point five. What I want to look at is the possibility of perhaps starting phase two—mile two—before mile one is completed. But you put your finger on it; there is a problem with the laying of pipes. As I understand it, B.T.L., BWSL are working simultaneously now with the contractor who has started the refurbishing in the area by Landy’s, one of the first sports to which you pointed. They can then move on to perhaps the second mile rather quickly. What I will say to you is this, as soon as they finish laying the pipes for mile two, we will start mile two, even if mile one is not yet completed.”
