PG Residents Not Happy with Alternative Route
On Wednesday’s newscast, we told you about the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing’s plan to replace the Joe Taylor Bridge in Punta Gorda Town. It will take fifteen months and two-point-three million dollars. The new bridge will be twenty-five meters long and fourteen meters wide, accommodating two lanes of traffic and two lanes for pedestrians. The ministry proposed the Carib Reserve Road as an alternative route. Chief Engineer Evondale Moody says the road is three-point-eight miles and will be maintained for commuters. But some town residents and those of surrounding communities say that the Carib Reserve Road is not the best alternative. Wil Maheia of the Belize Progressive Party says that the new route will cost the residents a lot of money.
Wil Maheia
Wil Maheia, Resident, Punta Gorda Town
“The concerns are very serious and for us down here who live in the south, we find it kind of rather insulting to come from somebody of such a high caliber. First of all, the talk about a three point two miles diversion, that is the furthest from the truth. We consider that lying to the PG people. From Hopeville or from the Joe Taylor Creek and if you have to go all the way around that’s not three point two miles and I invited anybody who is doubting to check it for himself. That is between eight and ten miles. You cannot tell me that there is no place in the world where there is a diversion that you have to go around for ten miles. We did a calculation for the people of Hopeville, Forest Home Village and Cattle Landing Village, this will cost them over three million dollars in extra fuel over fifteen month period. This is not fair to the people when there are alternatives. We can’t say oh well we do not have the money. The money is there. The government can find the money to make a bypass that would cut that down from eight to ten miles to one to two miles. If it is in the interest of the people then we need to be fair with people.”
Hipolito Novelo
“He says that the Carib reserve road is the best option as an alternative route.”
Wil Maheia
“It’s not the best option. It is an option. It is a very expensive option. There are at least four alternative routes that would need a little work and would cut it from eight to ten miles to one to two miles so it is not the best option. And I would want him to come down and meet with us because if he feels like they have done their consultation then I would like them to come meet with us.”
