Belize City Residents Briefed On Major Infrastructure Projects At Town Hall Meeting

The Belize City Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, hosted a town hall meeting Tuesday evening at the Belize City Civic Center, where residents were briefed on several major infrastructure projects expected to reshape traffic movement within the city over the coming months.  The public forum focused on three major works slated to begin later this year: the George Price Highway Upgrade Project, the replacement of the Belcan Bridge, and the replacement of the historic Swing Bridge. Officials say the projects are part of a broader effort to modernize key transport corridors and improve long-term traffic flow and safety within Belize City.  Opening the meeting, Mayor Bernard Wagner told residents that the trio of projects represents one of the most significant waves of infrastructure development the city has seen in years. He explained that while the works will bring long-term benefits, they will also require temporary traffic diversions, the installation of temporary bridge structures, and adjustments to daily commuting routines for residents and businesses.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City: “Belize City is on the brink of three major infrastructure projects. George Price Highway Upgrade Project, the replacement of the Swing Bridge, and the replacement of the Belcan Bridge. These are not minor works. These are transformational projects. Many of our daily lives will be disrupted in the days, in the months and the years ahead. Morning routes, evening routines, the school drop off, the business deliveries, the pedestrian crossings, traffic patterns we have grown accustomed to will change.’

Also addressing the town hall audience last night was the Gender and Social Specialist at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), Natalia Cardona Castillo.  Castillo spoke on the avenues of redress for citizens who might have grievances during the course of these major infrastructure projects.

Natalia Castillo, Gender and Social Specialist (MIDH): “GRM has been established to receive complaints, concerns from members of Belize City as well as the communities along this portion of the highway who believes that this project has or is likely to have adverse effects on them or the environment. So who can use this GRM? It’s free of cost and basically it’s accessible to everyone. So whether or not you are a resident, a business owner, vendor, a motorist, a pedestrian, community organization, or let’s say even if you are a worker with the project, let’s say a flag woman on the project, you can also use this GRM to submit a grievance even though you’re submitting a grievance against your boss, right? It is accessible for everyone. You are protected. It ensures accountability. So that is what the GRM is for. So how can you submit a grievance? You can do so one, the old fashioned way, by filling out a form and putting it in a drop box that will be located at the Belize City Council, or you can do so the way that most people tend to do, using technology, you might use the WhatsApp number that is there for our grievance number. It is 614 3195.”

The meeting lasted close to two hours.