Ribbon cut on new Iguana Creek Bridge

The name became synonymous with government ineptitude when an earlier attempt to build a new bridge at the location resulted in the incomplete structure being washed away in a flood. But tonight the new Iguana Creek Bridge is a reality. On Monday morning officials cut the ribbon on the new two-lane steel span, which replaces a single lane wooden structure. That bridge was often rendered impassable by high water in the Belize River.

Henry Canton, Min. of Works

“It’s an extremely important bridge and I can recall somebody saying to me that they didn’t realise how active the bridge was until they actually had to obstruct the traffic. And I think that somebody said it’s almost like every minute. Every minute one vehicle passes twelve hours for the day, so obviously it’s an extremely important bridge. So putting together a two-lane highway at thirty-nine inches above the other one was truly significant. As Minister Silva says, the potential on this side of the river, and not only from the Mennonite community, the Spanish Lookout people, but also from the villages surrounding you, Duck Run and Los Tambos and the rest. It will also play and extremely important role for them in what they plan to do and how they move forward.”

The new bridge, designed by Rapid Span International of Canada, cost a half million dollars and was put up in six weeks. It is the major road link to the critical farming community of Spanish Lookout.