[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":56},["ShallowReactive",2],{"bridge-88":3,"map-data-bridge-88":54},{"id":4,"name":5,"surface":6,"material":6,"lengthM":7,"historyMd":8,"lat":9,"lng":10,"ele":11,"startDateOpening":12,"startDateOpeningEdtf":13,"startDateOpeningSource":14,"waterwayId":15,"districtId":16,"settlementId":17,"roadId":7,"ohmId":18,"waterway":19,"district":23,"settlement":26,"road":41},88,"Schnarr's Bridge","wood",7,"This bridge was reconstructed in 1956.\u003Cref>Colonial Report of British Honduras 1957\u003C/ref>",17.45179,-88.27516,4,"1920","1920/1928","https://ambergriscaye.com/photogallery/220703.html",44,1,12,200730726,{"id":15,"name":20,"lengthM":21,"destinationWaterwayId":22},"Burdon Canal",15260,292,{"id":16,"name":24,"ref":25},"Belize","BZ",{"id":17,"name":27,"districtId":16,"lat":28,"lng":29,"classification":30,"status":31,"buildingQty":32,"buildingSizeM":33,"startDate":34,"startDateSource":35,"ohmChronologyId":36,"shapeId":37,"wikidata":38,"historyMd":39,"area":40,"articleRating":16},"Belize City",17.50022,-88.19889,"city","active",17300,2100000,"1638","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_settlement_of_Belize",2808623,141,"Q108223","# History\nBelize City was probably settled by Peter Wallace when he landed at the mouth of the Haulover Creek in 1638.\n\nFort George was constructed in 1803 on the island later named Fort George Island as a defense for Belize City.\u003Cref>https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/AKD5459.0001.001/34\u003C/ref>\u003Cref>https://ia600206.us.archive.org/10/items/colonybritishho00morr/colonybritishho00morr.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nIn 1818, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bradley Esq. and the 2nd West India Regiment cleared a part of the forest around Newtown Barracks.\u003Cref>The Honduras Gazette 1826-29\u003C/ref>\n\nThe new boom at the haulover that had cost the mahogany cutters upwards of 1,100 British pounds was carried away from it's fastenings on October 19, 1826 from a great force of rubbish and water. The tree to which it had been tied was uprooted and the boom swung upon one side of the river.\u003Cref>The Honduras Gazette 1826-29\u003C/ref>\n\n[[bridge:18]], constructed in 1859 was the first bridge connecting the [[settlement:356]] and [[settlement:357]] of Belize Town and was also the first bridge in British Honduras.\u003Cref>https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/AKD5459.0001.001/52\u003C/ref>\n\n In 1922 the government planned to develop Fort\nGeorge. A contract was given to the Jefferson Construction\nCompany of the United States . For a sum of $BH300,000,000\nthe company, between 1922 and 1924, completely filled in the\nstrait, making Fort George Island one with the city. A concrete\nwall surrounded the island, and a mound at the tip was made\nwith a high groyne to form Memorial Park , in honour of the dead\nof the first world war. In 1926 Baron Bliss came to Belize City\nand died on his yacht in the harbour. He left his fortune to the\nColony, and his tomb was placed at the point, with a lighthouse\nbeside it. In 1952 the Colonial Development Corporation built\nthe Fort George Hotel on a site reserved for that purpose, and a\nUnited Kingdom grant assisted in the construction of the head\nquarters of the British Honduras Volunteer Guard.\u003Cref>https://ia601502.us.archive.org/27/items/british-honduras-gregg/BritishHondurasGregg.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nUnder Chapter 118 of the Consolidated Laws of 1924, a partly nominated and partly elected Town Board was established. This town board also functioned as a District Board and thus administered [[settlement:299]], [[settlement:47]] and Ambergris Caye.\u003Cref>https://dn720005.ca.archive.org/0/items/colonial-reports-1923-1234/ColonialReports1923-1234.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nNew customs offices were erected at Fort George in 1924 at a cost of $8,130.49.\u003Cref>https://dn720005.ca.archive.org/0/items/colonial-reports-1923-1234/ColonialReports1923-1234.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nIn 1933 the first sawmill was established in Belize Town.\u003Cref>https://ia601502.us.archive.org/27/items/british-honduras-gregg/BritishHondurasGregg.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nStreets were laid out in the Circular Road Area and Collet Canal Area in 1956.\u003Cref>Colonial Report of British Honduras 1956\u003C/ref>\n\nWater services were extended to the Hone Park Area in 1960.\u003Cref>Colonial Report of British Honduras 1959-61\u003C/ref>\n\nIn 1970 the capital of Belize was relocated to [[settlement:14]] after the devastating effects of Hurricane Hattie.\n\n## Boundaries\nIn 1949, 50 plots of land was laid out for Ex-servicemen.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nAnother 19 lots were laid out for the Ex-servicemen in 1950 at Cemetery Road west of Collet Canal. Also 55 lots in the Freetown Area were distributed to the Central Authority.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\n## Disasters\nSeptember 2nd, 1787 at 3:00 in the morning, a hurricane struck Belize Town and destroyed every building except 1. Many lives were lost and all public records destroyed.\u003Cref>https://ia601502.us.archive.org/27/items/british-honduras-gregg/BritishHondurasGregg.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nThen in 1813 a hurricane hit Belize Town on August 1 and then again on the 13th of the same month, but there are no records of what damages happened.\u003Cref>https://ia601502.us.archive.org/27/items/british-honduras-gregg/BritishHondurasGregg.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nThe Great Fire of 1854 happened in the [[settlement:357]] of Belize Town.\u003Cref>https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/AKD5459.0001.001/19\u003C/ref>\n\nOn July 17, 1856 arsons set fire to some houses on the north side of the town. In a few hours the fire took possession of the entire north side, including the Catholic church and residences of the Fathers.\u003Cref>https://ia800600.us.archive.org/17/items/ThePilgrimOfOurLadyOfMartyrsVolXIX1903/ThePilgrimOfOurLadyOfMartyrsVolXIX1903.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nOn 31st August, 1864, another hurricane struck Belize and caused severe damage, but how much was lost was not assessed.\u003Cref>https://ia601502.us.archive.org/27/items/british-honduras-gregg/BritishHondurasGregg.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nThe hurricane of 1931 happened on September 10 as people were celebrating the Battle of St. George's Caye Day. The hurricane flattened the entire town and drowned over 2,000 people. That was about 5% of the entire colony's population at the time.\u003Cref>https://ia601502.us.archive.org/27/items/british-honduras-gregg/BritishHondurasGregg.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\n## Etymology\n**Belize Settlement** derived it's name from the [[waterway:20]] which in turn came from the Mayan word Balis meaning \"muddy waters\" or possibly the name is a corruption of Wallace from Peter Wallace.\n\nIn 1783 the Belize Settlement was incorporated as a town and made the capital of Belize as **Belize Town**.\n\nIn 1981 Belize Town was upgraded to a city, **Belize City**.\n\n## Important Structures\nIn 1826 the Olympic Theatre was constructed on the south side of town.\u003Cref>The Honduras Gazette 1826-29\u003C/ref>\n\n**St. John's Cathedral**\n\nSt. John's Church was built between 1812 and 1820 with bricks used as ballast aboard ships. It is situated on Regent St. in Belize City. It was the first church to be built in British Honduras.\n\nThe exterior of the church is of brick; the interior is fitted out in mahogany and sapodilla. It was built by the British using slave labour.\n\nThe cathedral is a historical landmark of Belize from the colonial influence of the country's past. Attached to the church is the oldest cemetery in the country, Yarborough Cemetery.\n\nOn January 18, 1816 George Frederic Augustus I was crowned king of the Miskito Kingdom in St. John's Church. When George Frederic Augustus I was murdered by his wife, his brother Robert Charles Frederic was crowned King. The coronation happened in St. John's Church on April 23, 1824. It was a strategy of the British to use the Church of England to crown their kings as a means to control the indians from the Miskito Kingdom in Honduras and Nicaragua.\n\nInitially a parish church, St. John's Church was renamed St. John's Cathedral in 1891, a few years after the diocese of British Honduras had been erected.\n\nOn September 2, 2018 his Excellency Pedro Moore Ricardo came to Belize and was crowned in St. John's Cathedral by Anglican Bishop Philip Wright. The reason was to restore ties with the Miskito people that settled in British Honduras in the 1700s. \u003Cref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John%27s_Cathedral_(Belize_City)\u003C/ref>\n\n**Government House**\n\nThe Government House was constructed in 1814 and was surrounded by *\"grounds tastefully laid out and planted with cocoanut, bamboo, mango and other trees\"*.\u003Cref>https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/AKD5459.0001.001/52\u003C/ref>\n\n**Courthouse**\n\nThe Court-House was constructed in 1880 and occupied a central position in town.\u003Cref>https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/AKD5459.0001.001/52\u003C/ref> In 1924 the Couthouse wsa reconstructed at a cost of $61,866.08.\u003Cref>https://dn720005.ca.archive.org/0/items/colonial-reports-1923-1234/ColonialReports1923-1234.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\n# Infrastructure\n## Roads\nIn 1960 multiple streets were constructed in the Prisoner Creek Area.\u003Cref>Colonial Report of British Honduras 1959-61\u003C/ref>\n\n## Telephone\nSince before 1924\u003Cref>https://dn720005.ca.archive.org/0/items/colonial-reports-1923-1234/ColonialReports1923-1234.pdf\u003C/ref> there were 4 telegraph lines extending from Belize to the other districts. These lines still existed in 1950.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref>\n- [[settlement:12(1948)]]-[[settlement:159(1948)]]-[[settlement:186(1948)]]-[[settlement:64(1948)]]-[[settlement:59(1948)]]\n- [[settlement:12(1948)]]-[[settlement:214(1948)]]-[[settlement:231(1948)]]-[[settlement:15(1948)]]\n- [[settlement:12(1948)]]-[[settlement:79(1948)]]-[[settlement:294(1948)]]-[[settlement:172(1948)]]\n- [[settlement:12(1948)]]-Hill Bank (Belize Estate and Produce Company)\n\n## Transportation\nImproved mail and passenger services by motor vessels were established in 1924, the routes being [[settlement:12]]-[[settlement:64]]-[[settlement:186]] and [[settlement:12]]-[[settlement:79]]-[[settlement:387]]-[[settlement:172]]-[[settlement:202]]. These services were subsidized by the government and mail was carried under contract.\u003Cref>https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/acv/contents/pub/pdf/B02/B02032223100.ba0141a.a-0980.00000198.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\n# Religious Institutions\n## Roman Catholic Church\nThe **Cathedral of the Most Holy Redeemer** is a co-cathedral of the Diocese of Belize City–Belmopan.\n\nThis was the first Catholic church in British Honduras and [[settlement:12(1850)]] and was a beautiful building constructed entirely of mahogany. In 1856 the church burned down. In April 1858 a new church was consecrated including residences and a school. These buildings were built better than before and were made of brick.\u003Cref>https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/AKD5459.0001.001/19\u003C/ref>\n\nThe diocese was erected as the Apostolic Prefecture of British Honduras on June 10 1888, on territory split off from the then Apostolic Vicariate of Jamaica. It was elevated on March 1 1893 as the Apostolic Vicariate of British Honduras, hence entitled to a titular bishop. Its name was changed to the Apostolic Vicariate of Belize, after its see, on December 15 1925. It was elevated to the Diocese of Belize on February 29 1956. On December 31 1983 the name was changed to Diocese of Belize City–Belmopan.\u003Cref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Belize_City%E2%80%93Belmopan\u003C/ref>\n\n**Reverends**\n\n- Very Rev. W. A. Mitchell, S.J., V.G. (1917-1918)\n- Rev. William L. Hornsby, S.J. (1917-1918)\n- Rev. Allan Stevenson, S.J. (1917)\n- Rev. David E. Hamilton, S.J. (1917-1918)\n- Rev. Daniel Coady, S.J. (1917)\n- Rev. Louis Fusz, S.J. (1917-1918)\n- Rev. Francis J. Pichardo, S.J. (1917-1918)\n- Rev. Joseph B. Kammerer, S.J. (1918,1927-1928)\n- Rev. Henry G. Huerman, S.J. (1918)\n- Rev. Aloysius C. Kemper, S.J. (1918)\n- Rev. Bernard F. Abeling, S.J. (1918, 1927-1928)\n- Rt. Rev. Joseph A. Murphy, S.J. (1925-1928)\n- Rev. Robert A. Henneman, S.J. (1925)\n- Rev. Francis J. Kemphues, S. J. (1925, 1928)\n- Rev. Joseph L. Kemper, S.J. (1927)\n- Rev. Robert C. Harder, S.J. (1927-1928)\n- Rev. William A. Ryan, S.J. (1928)\n\u003Cref>https://dn710208.ca.archive.org/0/items/the-official-catholic-diectory-1925/The%20Official%20Catholic%20Diectory%201925.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\n**Missions**\n\n- [[settlement:258(1925)]] (1917-1928)\n- [[settlement:47(1925)]] (1917-1928)\n- [[settlement:159(1925)]] (1917-1928)\n- [[settlement:28(1925)]] (1917-1928)\n- [[settlement:460(1925)]] (1917-1925)\n- [[settlement:206(1925)]] (1917-1928)\n- [[settlement:129(1925)]] (1917-1928)\n\nThe **Divine Mercy Church**, located at mile 2.5 on the [[road:11(1850)]], is a mission church under the Cathedral of the Most Holy Redeemer in [[settlement:12]], which is subordinated to the Province of Kingston in Jamaica.\u003Cref>https://www.catholicdiocesebelize.org/en/parishes\u003C/ref>\n\n## Seventh Day Adventist Church\nThe Seventh Day Adventist Church of Belize City is under the Central Belize Mission Conference ([[settlement:12]]) in the Belize Union Mission ([[settlement:12]]) of the Inter-American Division (Miami, Florida).\n\nThe **Beautiful Beginnings SDA Church** is located on Jane Usher Blvd. Between 2020-2025 they had 176 members.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Belama SDA Church** is located at 103 Green Street, [[settlement:392]]. Between 2020-2025 they had 35 members.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Canaan SDA Church** is located at 1508 Coney Dr. Between 2020-2025 they had 210 members.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Ephesus SDA Church** is located at 1 Wilson St. Between 2020-2025 they had 977 members.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Good News SDA Church** is located at 23 Zericote St. Between 2020-2025 they had 254 members.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Lifeline SDA Church** is located at 193 Raccoon St Ext. Between 2020-2025 they had 239 members.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Mahanaim Central SDA Church** had 18 members between 2020-2025.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Mt. Olives SDA Church** is located on Fabers Rd. Between 2020-2025 they had 336 members.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Mt. Zion SDA Church** is located on Yarborough Rd. Between 2020-2025 they had 472 members.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Shiloh SDA Church** had 574 members between 2020-2025.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\nThe **Siloe SDA Church** had 216 members between 2020-2025.\u003Cref>https://old.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?page=ViewAdmFieldSubEntities&Year=9999&AdmFieldID=CBEM\u003C/ref>\n\n# Social Services\n## Banking\nThe Government Savings Bank was established in 1846. It was operated by the Treasury.\u003Cref>https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/AKD5459.0001.001/62\u003C/ref>\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nIn October 1912 the Royal Bank of Canada bought out the Bank of British Honduras.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref>\u003Cref>https://ia801507.us.archive.org/6/items/colonial-reports-1938-1894/ColonialReports1938-1894.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nBarclays Bank (D.C. and O.) opened a branch in Belize Town on September 4, 1949.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref> They constructed a massive new building that opened on December 11, 1954.\u003Cref>Colonial Report of British Honduras 1954\u003C/ref>\n\n## Burial Grounds\nAt the end of September 1881, work commenced on the Queen Charlotte's Town Vaults. By January of 1882 they were in use already.\u003Cref>https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0003218/18820218/001/0001\u003C/ref>\n\n## Education\nSometime around 1926 the compulsory attendance age was lifted from 12 to 14 years.\u003Cref>https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/acv/contents/pub/pdf/B02/B02032223100.ba0141a.a-0980.00000198.pdf\u003C/ref>\n\nThe Catholic School had 472 students in 1927 and 508 in 1928.\u003Cref>Catholic Directory 1927\u003C/ref>\u003Cref>Catholic Directory 1928\u003C/ref>\n\n## Police\nIn 1948 the building formerly known as the Roosevelt Hotel building which\nadjoined the Police Compound in [[settlement:12(1948)]] was acquired by the department\nand at the close of the year was being renovated prior to being put into use\nas extra sleeping and messing accommodation and offices. This building\nwas slated for completion during 1949 and would greatly relieve the congested\nBarracks and Office accommodation of Headquarters.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref> \n\nIn 1949 the police force consisted of 117 officers, with transportation consisting of 1 Station Wagon, 1 Prisoner's Van, 2 Motorcycles and 2 Launches.\u003Cref>https://ia801001.us.archive.org/20/items/colonial-report-brit-honduras-1948/ColonialReportBritHonduras1948.pdf\u003C/ref>",28630000,{"id":7,"name":42,"lengthM":43,"startDate":44,"districtId":16,"historyMd":45,"articleRating":16,"ohmChronologyId":46,"osmRelationId":47,"shapeId":48,"lat":49,"lng":50,"ref":51,"isArterial":52,"isFeeder":53,"isDistributor":53},"George Price Highway",122300,"1949","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,{"extraChronologyRelationIds":55},[],1782701093878]