Old Haulover Bridge to Connect Six Communities to Twin Towns

A bridge linking the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena to six communities in Cayo Northeast is nearing completion. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing is constructing it using the refurbished Belize City Haulover Bridge.

“Personally that bridge got me excited because it comes with a lot of benefits,” said Santa Familia Vice Chairman Silas Sabal, who noted that the crossing will cut travel time by 15 to 20 minutes. He added that in emergencies, “some people in 5 or a little bit more minutes will be able to reach Santa Elena.”

Teachers have also welcomed the development. Shajira Ayala said the shorter route will ease daily commutes for educators travelling from Santa Elena and surrounding areas.

Santa Familia Chairman Julian Carrias added that the bridge could also put the village more on the map. “This is gonna help us a lot, it’s gonna bring more people…A lot of people don’t know where Santa Familia is located,” he said.

In a Facebook post, Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet said the bridge will provide safer and faster access “for our farmers transporting their produce, our teachers and students commuting daily, and the many families and residents who travel between our villages and the Twin Towns”.

Habet added that the new route will significantly reduce travel distances, by cutting about 6 miles for those travelling from Santa Familia to Spanish Lookout, and around 11 miles for commuters using the San Ignacio route via the Iguana Creek Bridge.