The Coastal Road has languished for decades as an unpaved, and often un-driveable shortcut from central Belize, straight to the heart of the south. For those who travel south , it's kind of like a "whit-if" road - as in what if this were paved? It would probably cut about 45 minutes to an hour off a trip to Dangriga and all points beyond.
Well, now it is close to reality - but still three years away. Contracts were signed for the Coastal Highway Upgrading Project - co-sponsored by the funded through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank with grant funding from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund.
That was signed today in Belmopan at the Ministry of Works Conference room along with a component for another mega project, the Caracol Road - which happens to run right through the Minister of Works Cayo Central area. He discussed it today.
The Coastal Road Project - which will span 36 miles - will cost $62.9 million Belize dollars for lot 1, and $70.2 million dollars for Lot 2. That's a total of 133.1 million or 3.7 million dollars a mile - which involves paving the entire length of the road, including bridges, drainage and a roundabout at the junction with the Hummingbird.
Now, the Barrow Administration's favorite and most controversial contractor Imer Hernandez is a beneficiary of the contract. He has formed a joint venture company with a Mexican fiormkm named Construcciones y Carreteras S.A. de C.V.
While that will surely raise eyebrows, today the Minister insisted it is a reputable firm:
A press release from government says, quote, "With no objection from the Caribbean Development Bank, the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Works executed the award and signing of two (2) construction contracts to the lowest evaluated bidder."
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