Ministry of Works Reports Flooding Across Road Network

Given the heavy and persistent rains and flooding in the western and southern parts of the country, the Ministry of Works has commenced an assessment of the road network. Chief Engineer Officer Lennox Bradley says the ministry recognizes the vulnerability of certain sections of the highways across the country.  The volume of waters over the past three days is causing problems to infrastructure.  Bradley says that certain sections of the highways have been closed to traffic.

Lennox Bradley

Lennox Bradley, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Works

“We have been receiving persistent rainfall in the Cayo District in the past two days possibility and I think the Belize City area possibility a bit longer than that. Indeed it has created some problems because the volume of waters that we have received in the past three days undoubtedly will have its impact on our road network. Belize City some parts of it already feeling the impact of the volume of water that has fallen over three past three days. The George Price Highway, you have roads off the George Price Highway for example the Iguana Creek Bridge. That is closed. That is under flood conditions. Branch Mouth, Cable Bridge – that is under water. You have Baking Pot Ferry, that is closed. You have the low level timber that spans the Macal River between San Ignacio and Santa Elena that is closed. From all indications from the Met Office the rains will continue for at least the next day until this tropic storm or depression ETA passes through. So we will have to be monitoring our roads during this time period. There are areas that are under flood conditions that we cannot do anything to restore access until the water recedes. Areas where we feel we can intercede to try improve the conditions for the motorists we are doing so. The Ministry of Works in currently monitoring and doing some estimates for areas that we feel can rectify as soon as the water subsides.”