Middlesex gets a new bridge

Middlesex is a small rural community located about twenty one miles from Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway.  The bridge that connects two sides of that community dates back to 1907 at the start of the Stann Creek railway system and for years it had been deteriorating beyond repair.  But now, through funding from the European Union, a spanking new two-lane bridge with dual sidewalks and barriers has been completed.  Construction on the project took one year, from June 2009 to June of this year. News Five was on hand for the inaugural ceremony today.  Here’s Marion Ali with a report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Measuring two hundred and forty four feet in length, the new bridge at Middlesex brings relief for people not only from the area, but everyone who travels south. Before its replacement, there were significant transportation setbacks, including the movement of crude oil because the temporary bridge was inundated by flood.  But that concern is now a thing of the past.  The present bridge marks an important part of Belize’s history, almost connecting past with future as it does the two sides of its banks.

anthony "boots" martinez

Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Minister of Works

“The old Middlesex Bridge was approaching critical status and the ministry had to insert a temporary prop to increase its factor of safety and extend its life. This project produced an innovative economic rehabilitation of the old bridge by widening its existing concrete span and replacing the badly corroded steel mid-span thereby converting a narrow substandard four span structure to a two land six span structure with jewel sidewalks.”

Cadet Henderson, CEO, Ministry of Works

cadet henderson

“The upgrading, replacing of this bridge were long awaited emergency request. For many years we’ve made multiple efforts to try and source support since we knew this was one of our most critical bridges in this country. As a responsible government it was incumbent on us to do whatever was possible to bring it to reality obviously our negotiations with the E.U. paid off. The deteriorated rate of the bridge was unprecedented in the history of bridge engineering in Belize.”

Anthony “Boots” Martinez

“This investment has now upgraded the safety standard to our transportation network like ambassador rightly point out, especially the crude oil—you see it di go. And particular that of the most unsafe highway bridge in the country of Belize.”

Today’s ceremony was punctuated by the lyrics of Watina, by the late Andy Palacio.  The lyrics were read by the European Ambassador, Marco Alemanni.

Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni

Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni, Head, EU Delegation

“I called out, I whistled. I shouted at the vehicle. The person refused to pick me up. Just look at this brother suffering here on our country’s roads. The vehicles just keep passing him by. Oh god please change my life this year. I ask you to change my life but please do not take it away, please leave me here where I can be a bothersome spirit. Just leave me here where I can be a bothersome spirit. I have money in my pockets, I can pay my fare, but my appearance does not make me look rich. So when you see one of your brothers and sisters on this bridge or anywhere along the highways and streets of Belize; whatever their color, whatever their ethnic origin, whatever their creed, their your brothers and sisters and it’s so important for Belize to have everyone work together.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

The bridge was constructed at a cost of one million Euros or two point two million Belize dollars.  In his address, Minister Martinez pledged to further enhance the appearance of the area with the installation of much-needed line-markings, road signs and barriers where necessary.