Historic Swing Bridge Set For Replacement After More Than A Century Of Service

Also, in the coming months, plans are moving forward for the replacement of the historic Swing Bridge, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.  The bridge, which was installed in 1923, has served the city for more than a century. However, engineering assessments have determined that the structure has deteriorated to the point where it can no longer be salvaged or restored, making full replacement the only viable option.  The project was among the key topics discussed during a Belize City Council town hall meeting held last night, where officials briefed residents on several upcoming infrastructure works expected to impact daily traffic patterns across the municipality.  According to the country’s Chief Engineer, Evondale Moody, the condition of the bridge has significantly worsened over time due to age, heavy usage, and environmental wear. As a result, a new structure will be constructed to improve both safety and functionality.  Importantly, the redesigned bridge will feature expanded pedestrian space, addressing long-standing concerns about limited room for foot traffic on the current structure.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer: “The Swing Bridge is basically 42 meters in span. That means the length of the bridge is 42 meters. It will have two spans. So we’ll only have one pier in the middle. The width of that structure will be varied from 14 meters to 18 meters wide. The 18 meters is in the center where the buses, because what we have done in consultation with the Japanese consultant is to try and maximize on space for pedestrians. As the mayor has indicated earlier, I think the volume is about 7,000 you’ve mentioned. And so we’ve taken that into consideration in terms of the pedestrian traffic. Hence you see that the footpath is extremely wide and we have two footpaths on either side of the bridge. And the new structure will be able to accommodate any loads that it is designed for. I think it’s designed based on HL 93, which is an Ashto design loading. So it should be able to accommodate heavy traffic across the structure. Last week I put out to tender, I commenced the procurement procedure, sorry, for the construction of the temporary bridge. Bids will be due for that on the 16th of March. And so the idea is that we want to try and receive bids by that date and carry out the bid evaluation process for that structure so that we could commence by the end of March with the construction of the temporary bridge. That temporary structure will be located at Hyde’s Lane as was mentioned by the mayor, whereby we will go across from Hyde’s Lane between Proser and Bottom Dalla and then that structure will go over to Regent Street West where the old Mike’s Club used to be. We’re still negotiating with the landowner for the acquisition of that property. It is the intention of the ministry that that bridge will remain a permanent bridge once we have finished with the construction of the new swing bridge in an effort to provide additional access across the Haul Over Creek for the Belize City area and residents. So that structure has been designed in a manner that it will become permanent. Once we have completed the temporary bridge, which we expect to complete by July, the idea is that we’re going to give the contractor four months to construct that temporary bridge and so once we have completed that structure we will commence with the removal of the superstructure for the Swing Bridge. The superstructure is basically the steel deck section that is on the Swing Bridge including the deck. Under the grant agreement from JAICA, the Belize Government is responsible for the construction of the temporary bridge and also for the removal of the superstructure, excluding the center turntable which is basically the cason in the river that is supporting the structure. The two abutments as well where the bridge is resting on, those will be the responsibility of the Japanese contractor who will come in in January of 2027. So under the procurement process, we would need to complete the removal of the steel structure by December 1. And so that was signed in the grant agreement last December with the government of Japan. And so the idea is that we want to ensure that that is accomplished within the timeline that has been indicated.”

Officials also confirmed that the construction contract will be awarded to a Japanese contractor, a requirement tied to the financing arrangement for the project. The replacement of the Swing Bridge forms part of a grant-supported infrastructure initiative funded by the Government of Japan.  Residents were advised that once construction begins, traffic diversions and changes in commuting routines will be necessary, as the Swing Bridge serves as a critical link between the north and south sides of Belize City.  City officials say additional public consultations and traffic management plans will be shared as the project timeline moves closer to implementation./