Roaring Creek to Get 11-Million-Dollar Bridge

It’s arguably one of the most trafficked bridges in the country of Belize, but also one of the more poorly maintained. The Government of Belize and M and M Engineering signed an eleven-point-three million dollar contract to construct a new Roaring Creek Bridge connecting the village to Belmopan at Mile forty-eight on the George Price Highway. A new bridge, approaches, drainage and other assorted works will be done starting immediately and both Minister of Works Rene Montero and principal of M and M, Roque Matus, say it is all about jobs.

Rene Montero

Rene Montero, Minister of Works

“The scope of works includes construction of the new bridge, along with approaches and drainage works to a total length of four hundred and eighty-five meters. Also included is the roadway clearance; the removal of any remnant structures, construction, fencing and the like within the road reserve; earthworks; construction of reinforced concrete bridge; approaches, roadside barriers and run-off channels, the installation of road centers and edgeline markings. The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Works, considered the impact of the Roaring Creek Bridge – the increased traffic loads, the infrequent maintenance; city and business expansion and unpredictable effects of several tropical storms and hurricanes. It saw it crucial to replace the bridge. An open tender exercise took place; the contractor’s offer was consistent with the engineer’s estimate and current construction rates. With no objections from the Contractor General, the contract was awarded. Today marks another milestone in the construction of bridges; but more important, it is about the people who are going to use the bridge. It is about bridging the gap between the haves and have-nots and more important it is about creating jobs.”

Roque Matus

Roque Matus, M&M Engineering

“We are a company that believes in Belize and continue employ a lot of Belizeans and through it we have introduced many products in the bridge industry so that we can do this at a more efficient price and keep the jobs here in Belize.”

The supervision of the work lies with IMC Worldwide, supervising for the Ministry of Works.