Tony’s Barbeque Faces BelCan Relocation Deadline

For more than thirty years, Tony’s Barbeque has been part of the BelCan Bridge landscape. But now, the longtime food stop is being asked to move as government prepares to replace the bridge and redesign the area around it. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development, working with the Belize City Council, has given vendors and car dealers in the area thirty days to vacate. Some have already relocated, but Tony’s Barbeque is asking the community to stand with them before their August fifteenth deadline. The business says it supports progress, but also wants local businesses to be valued in the process. Back in May, News Five spoke with Chief Engineer Evondale Moody, who explained what the Ministry expects from those still occupying the area.

 

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH (File: May 13^th, 2026)

“I have written to the mayor of Belize City with respect to  those relocation, with respect to the vendor near the taxi stand, which is just behind SaveU, with respect to Tony’s Barbecue, and also with respect to the shed that is over by BWS just across on the south side  of the bridge. So I have written to the mayor with respect to those, and he has committed to ensuring that he works with these vendors to get them relocated as soon as possible. We have given them a timeline of approximately thirty days for that to be done. And so the mayor has written back  to me in good faith indicating that he’s working on that, and that will be done in a timely manner. So I have the full support of the mayor on these issues because I believe those three businesses were basically given permission by the local authority for them to be there. So I just took it  on behalf of the ministry to kindly request his assistance for those individuals to be relocated.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Are we now clearer on what is being asked of Tony’s Barbecue?”

 

Evondale Moody

“Yes, we have asked them to be removed completely. That is what we are asking them for.”

 

The section of land occupied by Tony’s Barbeque will be reclaimed to form the carriageway leading up to the new BelCan Bridge.

 

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.

 

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