Major Works Planned For Lake Independence Boulevard

Two of Belize City’s busiest bridges are about to shut down for major replacements, and that’s putting traffic worries front and center. Drivers will have to rely heavily on the BelChina and Chetumal Street Bridges, raising real questions about whether the Lake‑I Boulevard approach can handle the extra load, especially when rain turns that stretch into a crumbling mess. Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller says the city and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development are already talking long‑term fixes. He says quick patchwork is underway, but the ministry has committed to fully rehabilitating the boulevard before the bridge closures kick in. Here’s how he puts it.

 

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“My understanding and coming out of the same meeting that we had with MIDH, my understanding is a more permanent fix will be executed to that entire thoroughfare, right? What happened is with the replacement of the BelCan Bridge, the Chetumal – that bridge and the entire boulevard will become extremely important as it will serve as an alternate route, right. And so MIDH recognizes it. Us at the city, we recognize that this boulevard will need to be completely rehabilitated. They have done some work there recently, as you have seen, and we have promoted that work on our page as well and we remain thankful for it. But a more permanent upgrade to that boulevard is necessary and MIDH has committed to executing that work ahead of the replacement of the BelCan Bridge, as it will again serve as an alternate route into and out the city noh.  And so we have received a commitment from MIDH that those works will be done as you have, as we’ve faced some challenges with that especially when we’re faced with inclement weather. But we’re very much happy to hear that are more permanent solution will be executed.”

 

Miller says the real relief will come once that full rebuild of Lake‑I Boulevard starts, giving drivers a sturdier route before the bridge shutdowns hit.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: