The two major highways in Belize have borne witness too many fatal and serious traffic accidents throughout their existence. The newly renamed Phillip Goldson Highway and George Price Highway have, for long now, been in dire need of repairs and uplifting.

In efforts of attempting to reduce the incidents of road traffic accidents and road trauma, the Government of Belize along with the Caribbean Development Bank will launch a National Road Safety Committee this coming Monday, August 26th at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan.

This new committee will be responsible for implementing the Belize Road Safety Demonstration Corridor Project with funding from both the CDB and GOB amounting to a little more than $14.5 million Belize dollars. In a joint release issued this morning, the Committee will be tasked with overseeing the, “effective implementation of a fully integrated road safety strategy, and establish a nation-wide mechanism through which to provide leadership, direction, coordination and evaluation of road safety initiatives across the country.” End of quote.

The National Road Safety Committee will be co-chaired by representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ministry of Works and Transport. Members will be comprised of representatives from the Ministries of Health, Tourism, Sustainable Development, and Education, along with representatives from the Police Department, Social Security Board, Mayor’s Association, Chamber of Commerce, an NGO, the private sector and an international organization.

The first phase will be the upliftment of the George Price Highway from Belize City to Belmopan and will consist of widening of shoulders, curves and bus run offs from the road. The total amount invested by the CDB amounts to $14,495,000 and the Government of Belize’s contribution is $3,191,000 Belize dollars.

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