In the past, the San Pedro Town Council has taken measures to alleviate traffic congestion. Last week, in an effort to lessen traffic on Barrier Reef Drive for the Easter holidays, the present Town Council arranged for the street to be closed from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., in place of the usual 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. However, after receiving several valid complaints, Mayor Elsa Paz and town councilors, along with Ambergris Caye Traffic Control Committee Chairman Milo Paz Jr. and traffic wardens held an emergency meeting concerning the hours that Barrier Reef Drive should be closed. It was then agreed to close Front Street on Saturday and Sunday starting at 6:00 p.m.

    However, Barrier Reef Drive remained closed for the entire weekend because the individual who locked the entrance to Barrier Reef Drive kept the key and could not be located. This caused mixed reactions in the community. Several business owners complained about a loss of business due to Front Street being closed. On the other hand, several visitors and residents were most content with the freedom to stroll the entire length of Barrier Reef Drive without having to worry about traffic.

    For many years, rumors have circulated around San Pedro Town about the permanent closing of Barrier Reef Drive. In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, Mayor Elsa Paz stated that this weekend was an experiment. "We just wanted to see if this could be a possible solution to the traffic problem in this area," Mayor Paz stated.

    Barrier Reef Drive will now be closed, as usual, on weekends from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The area closed to traffic, however, has been shortened. Instead of Ruby's Hotel to San Pedrano Store, it will be closed from Coral Beach Hotel to the Lions Den.

    In addition, the beach area from Hustler's Dock to Boca del Rio Park has also been closed to large vehicular traffic; this change will be permanent. A consultation was held with residents in this vicinity and everyone agreed that only golf carts and bicycles should be allowed to travel on the beach road. To keep out larger vehicles, wood pilings have been placed at the beach end of every street leading to the sea front, except for Spider Lily Street where a hinged barricade will be erected. The Mayor assures the community that the San Pedro Fire and Police Departments, as well as the utility companies, doctors, ambulance drivers and councilors will have keys to the barricade. As for parking, the four families with large vehicles who reside in this area will also be given keys to the barricade.

    In the near future, the beach area will be beautified and re-filled with sand for the enjoyment of residents and tourists.

    "This town belongs to the community and I just serve the people. I am not a dictator, I try to help people in every way possible," stated Mayor Paz. "If anyone has any queries or complaints, my office door is open."