PG Residents Complain about Alternative Route

Evondale Moody

The new bridge is expected to cost two-point-three million dollars and should be completed in fifteen months. It will span twenty-five meters in length and fourteen meters in width. It is expected to accommodate two lanes of traffic and two pedestrian lanes. The new bridge will be elevated. And, as we mentioned, drivers will be redirected to the Carib Reserve Road to allow for the construction and completion of the new bridge. Last week, PG residents held a meeting at the Hopeville Basketball Court to address the pressing concerns that have arisen following the announcement by the ministry. They voiced concerns about the potential impact on local businesses and the transportation of residents. Chief Engineer Evondale Moody says that the residents are being a bit inconsiderate.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“All these aspects of the design incur additional time and cost in the construction. We had initially anticipated and estimated that that bridge structure should have cost us approximately one point five million Belize dollars but because additional aspects that we put in to the design, the contract price is now at two point three million dollars. To the ministry has to find an additional eight hundred thousand dollars to accommodate the municipality what they were asking for. Now, it came up that they don’t like the rerouting route. Why? Because it is three point eight miles long but that is the best route that we have and we don’t have additional funds to build another bridge or another route somewhere else. If that is the case then might as well we try to find other works, because other communities need other works as well so we are trying to share it as best as we can throughout the entire country.”

Hipolito Novelo

“It is your professional opinion that the residents who are expressing concerns about the alternate route, is it that you believe in your professional opinion that they are unreasonable and less understanding?”

Evondale Moody

 “Yes. I am not speaking from the ministry as the Chief Engineer. I am speaking as an individual, from my perspective and the assessment that I have asked my engineers to do and from what I know from the project, because I was involved with the project from the detail design, I don’t think they are being considerate, honestly. That is my opinion.”