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Last night we told you that months of waiting would be over and when Albert Street was paved today, but...the news this evening is that nothing happened. Hopes were high and 7NEWS was on spot from 6:30. Here’s what went right early on, and what went wrong by day’s end.

Jules Vasquez Reporting,
Preparation for the hot mix started last night with the industrial street sweeper to clear the concrete treated base. And the hot mix machine was in position bright early this morning bright and as the street was closed and an eager Boots Martinez was standing by.

Hon. Anthony Boots Martinez, Minister of Works
“I think this is the history day for Belize City, for Albert Street.”

But by this afternoon at 3:30 – it was a dream deferred – when we saw the engineers vehicles, the huddle of politicians, technicians and contractors we knew the news wasn’t good.

Larry Flowers, RODLA Contractor
“We have everything in place with the exception that we have some mechanical failure with the asphalt plant. We’re working on it and we’ll have it hopefully fixed tonight and try to go early in the morning. Let down is another word but we are working on making sure we can get it done right and getting it done right, you need all the resources. The most important resources is to make sure that the mix is done properly. We have some mechanical issues with the plant, as I said, we are working on that and we should have it remedied by today and we want to go early in the morning.”

Cadet Henderson, CEO – Ministry of Works
“Prudence is important at this time. After all we have the only and the most competent private sector group doing the job and it is better for us to abort the operation today and have an optimal performance tomorrow. We had all confidence that we could have had a start today but mechanical failure is always inevitable.”

Jules Vasquez,
This has to be a big letdown for you, even if it is the prudent decision.

Hon. Anthony Boots Martinez,
“Well they have a saying that says man appoints and God disappoints and in situations like these, there is nothing. It would be one more day of public pressure but at the end of the day, I support the decision.”

And so, the only car cruising downtown Albert Street today was this one, which made us wonder, now if we could only get this to pour the hot mix, we’d be fine.

Though we waited in position at the corner near Brodies for 9 hours today, we’ll do it again tomorrow when we expect the best but brace for the worst.