Kendal Bridge will take over 1 year to build

The Kendal Bridge was swept away by powerful flash floods following the passage of Arthur in 2008. And just about every time there has been a downpour, the Sittee River rises above the temporary causeway at the Kendal crossing on the Southern Highway. But don’t hold your breath because on Wednesday, Minister of Works, Anthony Boots Martinez said it would take at least a year before the new one is built.

Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Minister of Works
“The Kendal Bridge should commence early January 2010, based on procedural things that we have to do in regards to access the loan. So that in itself is a process.”

Jose Sanchez
“Okay, how much funds are we looking at for the bridge?”

Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“We would look at I think it’s about ten million Belize dollars for Kendal and five million—no about twenty million if I am not mistaken. I think the loan package for both bridges is fifteen million US. So it’s about thirty million Belize.”

Jose Sanchez
“So at what point next year should they be completed?”

Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“No, that will take sixteen months to complete. When it starts it will take sixteen months to complete so that will be completed in 2011.”

Jose Sanchez
“So in the meantime, the residents in the area, commuters just have to—what do they do in the meantime?”

Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“We have the low level bridge there. That is functional throughout the year. The only hitch you will have with that is only when there is massive flooding, the waiting time is between twenty-four and thirty-six hours in terms of waiting to cross.”