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So since this historic bridge now stands proud - what's next? There are a number of bridges that need urgent replacement - and the Belcan bridge is foremost. Here's how the Minster put it today: Jules Vasquez:
"So since this historic bridge now stands proud - what's next? There are a number of bridges that need urgent replacement - and the Belcan bridge is foremost. Here's how the Minster put it today:"

Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH
"Since we have done such a fine piece of work here, what bridge next? tThere are urgent Bridges to fix most, most notably in the city. There are four bridges in the proposed George Price Highway project, the Swing bridge, the Belcan bridge, the Burdon Canal bridge and the one that is by Hattieville. Those are the main bridges that will have to be done within that project."

"So, yes, we are hoping that that that that the Ministry of Finance sees it in the benefit of Belize, that those projects are done."

"The Government of Japan has stated that they are interested to give us a grant to do the swing bridge and that negotiation is ongoing. We are also aware that Section three of the George Phase Highway, which is the highway portion that leads from Albert St, all the way to Hattieville, which we call BLOCK Three, has been approved by the board of CDB, and that letter was sent to the Ministry of Economic Development and we are awaiting their approval of that."

"If the Ministry of Finance, in their wisdom, does not see that it's priority, then we can't proceed."

"And that's where we are right now."

"The boss said today I am impatient. Maybe, but that's the only way you'll get things done. Priority for us is development. If somebody gets hurt, it will be a problem. We have been signaling it for three years now. Our engineers just came under the bridge again. And and it's obvious. The bridge that fell in Baltimore can give you an idea what can happen. It's a smaller scale. We don't have the level of traffic, but it can happen if we have enough money to spend on other things. I think we should spend on priority project- that being one."