Road to Hopkins is officially openDriving on the old road to Hopkins Village was not a pleasurable journey but thousands of visitors did so each year. The warm greetings, polite service, delicious food and peaceful atmosphere would soon distant any memory of the terrible drive into the village. Hopkins' reputation as the most relaxing vacation spot in beautiful Belize has spread wildly over the last decade. It is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Belize and that will increase exponentially with the opening of Norwegian Cruise Line's Harvest Caye site. Therefore, a road worthy for a trip to paradise was needed and on April 12, 2013, the Government of Belize and the European Union launched the Hopkins Road Upgrade Project under the Belize Rural Development Project II.
The Hopkins Road roadwork cost a total of $6.3 million and was executed by Belize Roadway Construction in partnership with Rodla Construction Company Ltd. Tourists and Belizeans alike with the desire to travel and explore the South of the country will enjoy the outcome of the project. Works included the upgrading of 4 � miles of the Hopkins road from the Southern Highway to the main street of Hopkins Village at King Cassava from gravel to asphalt paved status. It features the raising of the road and the widening of bridges which allows easier access and improved driving safety for road users. As much as 30 culverts were added for proper drainage which will better manage flood waters and help to prevent the deterioration of the road. A 300 foot long swale (a depression between slopes to provide for drainage) has also been inserted on a portion of the road closer to the entrance of the village to permit water to be effectively channeled without causing structural damage to the road and help minimize the risk of flooding on either side.
Present at the launch was outgoing European Union Ambassador to Belize Paula Amadei. "Seeing this progress over the last four years has made my visits to Belize unforgettable, particularly as these projects have a direct benefit to Belizeans from all walks of life. Today's projects, like those from before, serve to improve communities and transport links and provide economic opportunities to residents," said Amadei. Minister of Works, Hon. Rene Montero said, "The completion of this project has been near and dear to the leadership of this Government. The [Administration] remains committed to Tourism." The project will not only enhance the beauty and appeal of travelling to Hopkins but will also increase the livelihoods of the people of the village by a foreseeable influx of visitors and consequently business to the village of Hopkins.
The Guardian