[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":63},["ShallowReactive",2],{"bridge-178":3,"map-data-bridge-178":61},{"id":4,"name":5,"surface":6,"material":6,"lat":7,"lng":8,"startDateConstruction":9,"startDateConstructionEdtf":10,"endDateDemolished":11,"endDateDemolishedSource":12,"waterwayId":13,"districtId":14,"settlementId":15,"roadId":16,"replacedByBridgeId":17,"waterway":18,"district":26,"settlement":29,"road":38,"replacedByBridge":52},178,"Beaver Dam Bridge","concrete",17.27727,-88.66647,"1950","1950~","2003","https://archive.channel5belize.com/archives/14516",18,2,11,7,177,{"id":13,"name":19,"lengthM":20,"startEle":21,"endEle":22,"destinationWaterwayId":23,"wikidata":24,"shapeId":25},"Beaver Dam Creek",21670,63,22,20,"Q21870369",37,{"id":14,"name":27,"ref":28},"Cayo","CY",{"id":15,"name":30,"districtId":14,"lat":31,"lng":32,"classification":33,"startDate":34,"startDateEdtf":35,"startDateSource":36,"historyMd":37},"Beaver Dam",17.27794,-88.66179,"hamlet","1826","/1826","The Honduras Gazette 1826-29","In 1826 Beaver Dam was mentioned as being 90 miles from [[settlement:12(1826)]] along the [[waterway:20(1826)]].\u003Cref>The Honduras Gazette 1826-29\u003C/ref>",{"id":16,"name":39,"lengthM":40,"startDate":41,"districtId":42,"historyMd":43,"articleRating":42,"ohmChronologyId":44,"osmRelationId":45,"shapeId":46,"lat":47,"lng":48,"ref":49,"isArterial":50,"isFeeder":51,"isDistributor":51},"George Price Highway",122300,"1949",1,"The George Price Highway, is one of five main highways in Belize. It originates in [[settlement:12]], runs west through [[settlement:14]], [[settlement:231]] and [[settlement:15]] and terminates at the Guatemalan border. The highway bisects the country and ties the eastern and western parts of Belize together.\n\n# History\nThe Belize-Cayo Road construction started in the 1930s and was expected to be completed by 1949. The road was constructed of a bituminous surface.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref> By 1938, 50 miles of all weather road had been constructed.\u003Cref>https://ia801507.us.archive.org/6/items/colonial-reports-1938-1894/ColonialReports1938-1894.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nBy 1949 the Belize-Cayo Road and the [[road:233]] were complete, linking [[settlement:12(1949)]] to [[settlement:231]] at the new [[bridge:25]].\n\nA weighbridge was installed in 1955 and other road improvements.\u003Cref>Colonial Report of British Honduras 1955\u003C/ref>\n\nAt the end of 1965, work started on surfacing the Western Highway from [[settlement:12(1965)]] to [[settlement:14(1965)]].\n\nThe section of highway from [[settlement:14(1991)]] to the Guatemala border was rehabilitated in 1991 by Cisco Construction.\u003Cref>https://www.iadb.org/en/project/BL0001\u003C/ref>\u003Cref>https://archive.channel5belize.com/archives/25181\u003C/ref>\n\nSections of the Western Highway were resealed in 1997.\u003Cref>https://www.iadb.org/en/project/BL0001\u003C/ref>\n\n## Etymology\nThe road was originally known as the **Belize-Cayo Road**. The section from [[settlement:117(1949)]] to [[settlement:12(1949)]] was known as **Hector Creek Road**.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nAt some point, before 1959\u003Cref>https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/AA/00/05/43/44/00001/AA00054344_00001.pdf\u003C/ref> the **Belize-Cayo Road** was merged with the **Hector Creek Road** and renamed the **Western Highway**.\n\nThe **Western Highway** was renamed the **George Price Highway** in honour of George Price on September 20, 2012.\n\n# History (Belize City-Belmopan)\nOn September 20, 2003, the [[bridge:177]] was reconstructed as a new steel bridge to replace the old broken concrete bridge.\n\n## George Price Highway Upgrading Project (2026-)\nProject Area: Belmopan-Belize City\n\nThis section of road had not seen any major upgrades since the early 1980s. This project was potentially the largest infrastructure project ever carried out by the Government of Belize and MIDH at the time. The project was divided into 3 lots.\u003Cref>https://mof.gov.bz/ova_doc/ministry-of-infrastructure-development-and-housing-infrastructure-report-march-2026/\u003C/ref>\n\n**GPH Upgrading Lot #1 (Belize City - Hattieville)**\n\nLot 1 was executed with support from a $69 million loan agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank.\n\nAs of March 2026, the procurement of a construction contractor is still being carried out.\u003Cref>https://mof.gov.bz/ova_doc/ministry-of-infrastructure-development-and-housing-infrastructure-report-march-2026/\u003C/ref> \n\nWorks include the complete rehabilitation and upgrading of 15 miles of the George Price Highway between [[bridge:188]] and [[settlement:117]]. There was a significant focus on drainage, with the construction of lined drains and sidewalks, raising of roads in flood prone areas, foundation improvements to areas of ongoing settlement and the reconstruction of the [[bridge:174]] and [[bridge:159]].\u003Cref>https://mof.gov.bz/ova_doc/ministry-of-infrastructure-development-and-housing-infrastructure-report-march-2026/\u003C/ref>\n\n**GPH Upgrading Lot #2 (Hattieville - La Democracia)**\nAs of March 2026, no funding has been secured for this section.\n\nWorks include the replacement of [[bridge:200]].\u003Cref>https://mof.gov.bz/ova_doc/ministry-of-infrastructure-development-and-housing-infrastructure-report-march-2026/\u003C/ref>\n\n**GPH Upgrading Lot #3 (La Democracia - Belmopan)**\n\nThis is the first lot that was started and commenced on January 8, 2026, and has a construction timeline of 30 months.\n\nWorks are being funded by the Governent of Belize and a loan agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for $26 million. KFAED has confirmed it's commitment to sign a second loan which will cover the remaining cost of the $56.1 million project.\n\nWorks include upgrading 29 km of the George Price Highway to international standards, comprising double 3.65m lanes and double 1.5m shoulders and all hot-mix asphalt pavement. A new bridge will be constructed at [[waterway:198]]. Major intersections to be incorporated include a roundabout intersection with George Price Boulevard, and a more channelised intersection for the new hospital site. Modern safety features are included with dedicated turning lanes within the limits of [[settlement:301]] and [[settlement:66]] and for the cement factory/sugar cane fields.\u003Cref>https://mof.gov.bz/ova_doc/ministry-of-infrastructure-development-and-housing-infrastructure-report-march-2026/\u003C/ref>\n\nThe government advised the public on January 26, 2026 to remove all highway memorials and business signs between [[settlement:14]] and [[settlement:137]] as the roadworks was commencing. Any businesses wanting to replace the signs after the highway reconstruction had to apply for a permit from MIDH.\u003Cref>https://lovefm.com/roadside-memorials-to-be-removed-as-george-price-highway-works-continue\u003C/ref>\n\n# History (Belmopan-San Ignacio)\nThe [[roundabout:2(2016)]] was constructed at the junction of the George Price Highway and the [[road:8(2016)]] in July 2016.\n\nIn 2019 the [[bridge:58]] was reconstructed slightly upstream due to the old [[bridge:59]] being too narrow and getting congested, with the inauguration ceremony held on March 20, 2020. As part of this project the roundabout also had to be modified, with the western leg being moved slightly south.\n\nDue to heavy floods in 2021 the section of road from the [[bridge:58]] to the gas station in [[settlement:214]] was raised about 3 feet and concreted.\n\n## George Price Rehabilitation Project (GPHR)\nProject Area: [[settlement:214]] to [[roundabout:4]] in [[settlement:274]]\n\nRehabilitation of the George Price Highway from [[settlement:214]] to Loma Luz Boulevard, [[settlement:274]] was substantially completed by 2024 with completion of Section 3– [[settlement:23]] to Loma Luz Boulevard, [[settlement:274]]. \n\nThe Total investment for the civil works, supervision, land acquisition and payment to affected persons was BZ$77,743,457.46. The Ministry hired a Contractor to perform periodic and routine maintenance of the 32.5 kms of the newly rehabilitated highway for a period of 2 years, which ended by early February of 2025.\u003Cref>https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Min-of-Infrastructure-Dev-Housing-ATR-2024-2025.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\n# History (San Ignacio-Western Border)\nThe [[road:55]] was constructed in 1912 and was later added to the [[road:7(1950)]].\n\nSometime around 1970 the z-curve at Ka'ana Resort (17.120410, -89.102490) was straightened out. At the same time the Western Highway in [[settlement:231(1970)]] was rerouted over Buena Vista Street instead of Benque Viejo Road.\u003Cref>1966 DOS\u003C/ref>\u003Cref>1973 DOS\u003C/ref>\u003Cref>https://www.midh.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Public-Road-Act.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nIn 2001, the [[bridge:113]] was constructed which split the Western Highway into westbound, Liberty Street ➜ George Price Avenue ➜ Wooden Bridge Road ➜ [[bridge:113]] ➜ Wooden Bridge Road ➜ Savannah Street ➜ Joseph Andrews Drive ➜ Benque Viejo Road and eastbound remained on the old alignment.\n\nS.I. No. 90 of 2023, which was gazetted on August 19, rerouted the George Price Highway through Loma Luz Boulevard, over the [[bridge:63]], through Joseph Andrews Drive, onto the [[road:55]] up to the [[roundabout:5]].\u003Cref>https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SI-No.-90-of-2023-Public-Roads-Names-and-Description-of-Highways-Order-2023.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\n## Fourth Road Project (Santa Elena / San Ignacio Bypass)\nThis project was divided into four phases: (Lot 1) the upgrading of Loma Luz Boulevard; (Lot 2) a new bridge crossing of the Macal River ([[bridge:63]]); (Lot 3) the construction of a new high-embankment by-pass; and (Lot 4) the rehabilitation of Joseph Andrews Drive to the point it re-connects to the George Price Highway. It also included the construction of T-junctions, drains, culverts, road lighting, and road marking and signage.\u003Cref>https://www.cisco.com.bz/santa-elenasan-ignacio-by-pass/\u003C/ref>\u003Cref>https://www.sanpedrosun.com/business-and-economy/2014/02/07/signing-lot-3-fourth-road-project/\u003C/ref>\n\nThe contract for Lot#1 was awarded to Cisco Construction on April 26, 2012 and was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for $13,401,192.\u003Cref>https://www.developmentaid.org/organizations/awards/view/71442/fourth-roud-santa-elenasan-ignacio-by-pass-project-belize-lot-1-loma-luz-boulevard\u003C/ref>\n\nEngineering and supervision for this project was provided by Halcrow Group Ltd., with local liaison, the Project Execution Unit, an arm of the Ministry of Works.\n\nThe contract for Lot#3 was awarded to Cisco Construction on February 6, 2014 for $3,873,059.43, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).\u003Cref>https://www.sanpedrosun.com/business-and-economy/2014/02/07/signing-lot-3-fourth-road-project/\u003C/ref>\n\n## George Price Highway Upgrading Project (2023-2025)\nProject Area: [[settlement:230]] – [[settlement:238]]\n\nThis project upgraded approximately 6.6 miles of the George Price Highway between\n[[roundabout:5]] and [[settlement:238]], near to the entrance of [[settlement:15]] over the course of 2 years commencing on September 4 2023. The contract was signed on July 20, 2023.\u003Cref>https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Min-of-Infrastructure-Dev-Housing-ATR-2024-2025.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nThe upgrade adhered to international standards with a cross section of double 3.6 m lanes and 1.5 m of paved shoulder on each side. Hot-mix asphalt road surface was used for most of the highway and concrete at sections bounded by the [[waterway:197]]. The cost for this upgrade was BZ$26M and was a blend of OID Loan financing and local, counterpart, funding.\u003Cref>https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Min-of-Infrastructure-Dev-Housing-ATR-2023-2024.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nIn [[settlement:238]], approximately 800 meters was going to be reinforced concrete\npavement, and the rest of the highway upgrade was Hot Mix asphalt. Works also included the\nplacement of gabion baskets to protect the riverbank in certain sections from [[settlement:238]] to\n[[settlement:15]] entrance. The cost for this upgrade was BZ$26,709,339.09. The project was completed in 2025.\u003Cref>https://mof.gov.bz/ova_doc/ministry-of-infrastructure-development-and-housing-infrastructure-report-march-2026/\u003C/ref>",2857607,9319136,281,17.27709,-88.65384,"1",true,false,{"id":17,"name":53,"noname":5,"surface":54,"material":55,"lengthM":56,"historyMd":57,"lat":58,"lng":59,"startDateOpening":60,"startDateOpeningSource":12,"waterwayId":13,"districtId":14,"settlementId":15,"roadId":16},"","chipseal","metal",60.78,"Severe floods in June 2002 damaged the old concrete bridge that had been constructed in the early 1950s. So a new bridge was constructed at a cost of $2.4 million entirely funded by the Government of Belize.\n\nThis was one of, if not the first major bridge to be constructed without the help of outside contractors and was a learning experience in bridge building for the engineers of the Belize Defence Force.\n\nThe new bridge was constructed of steel and built to last through severe hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.\n\nOn September 20, 2003, the new steel bridge was inaugurated.\u003Cref>https://archive.channel5belize.com/archives/14516\u003C/ref>",17.27705,-88.66651,"2003-09-20",{"extraChronologyRelationIds":62},[],1782962670473]