Paving the Road to Sea-Side Paradise
Project launched to Upgrade Hopkins Access Road
A Launching Ceremony
to signal
the start of works
for the upgrading of the Hopkins
road from the Southern Highway
to the Main Street of Hopkins
Village at King Cassava was held
Friday afternoon April 12, 2013.
The project, funded by
the Government of Belize and a
grant from the European Union
(E.U.) as part of the Belize Rural
Development Project II, is being
executed through a contract
with Belize Roadway Construction
in partnership with Rodla
Construction Company Ltd.
Tourists and Belizeans
alike with the desire to travel
and explore the country of Belize
will enjoy the outcome of
the project, which will result in
the 4 � mile access road upgraded
from gravel to paved status.
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 through the expected
influx of visitors and the inevitable
proliferation of new business
in the village of Hopkins.
The works will feature the
heightening of the road and the
widening of bridges which will
allow easier access and improved
driving safety for road users.
The adding of approximately
32 culverts for proper
drainage will manage flood
waters and help to prevent the
deterioration of the road itself.
A 300 foot long swale is also to be incorporated on a
portion of the road closer to the
entrance of the village to allow
water to be effectively channelled
without causing structural
damage to the road, and
help minimize the risk of flooding
on either side of the road.
Speakers at the launching
ceremony included Minister
of State in the Ministry of
Finance and Economic Development,
Hon. Santino Castillo;
Minister of Works and Transport,
Hon. Rene Montero; and
the Chairman of Hopkins Village,
Mr. Albert Nunez. M.C
for the ceremony was Felix
Miranda and the undertaking
was blessed with prayers
by Pastor Herdie Castillo.
In his address to the
gathering , Minister of Works
Hon. Rene Montero said:
"The growing struggles
of the residence of Hopkins
have not gone unnoticed
by my Ministry. We recognize
the hardships you endured with
patience and tolerance over the
years. The growing incidence of
flooding, due to the influence
of Climate Change, has heavily
impacted this community by
affecting the daily lives of the
residents and halting the potential
development. Tourism, in
particular, is the major income
earner for residents of this area.
This Project, along with the
hard work of the residents, will
put Hopkins on the map both
nationally and internationally."
Our UDP Government
through the support of various
line ministries highlighted
the Hopkins Road as one in
urgent need of repair, and we
have successfully secured funding
for the project from the
European Union under the Belize
Rural Development Fund.
Our UDP Government
is fulfilling yet another of its
manifesto pledges to improve
and upgrade the overall infrastructure,
which is crucial to
the development of our Nation."
The paving of the Hopkins
road is a project that has
been vigorously advanced by
former Stann Creek West Area
Representative Melvin Hulse.
Both Hulse and the current
UDP Constituency Caretaker,
Duncan MacFerson,
were present at the ceremonies.
Much more, and lots of pics, in the Capital Weekly HERE