In the Belize River Valley, months of persistent traffic congestion around two aging bridges has left local commuters and travelers growing increasingly frustrated, even as project managers defend the slow pace of the long-awaited rehabilitation work. The multi-million upgrade targeting the Sebastian Bridge and Bermudian Landing Bridge kicked off in March 2026, and is slated to run for an 18-month timeline that officials say is strictly being adhered to, despite what appears to be minimal visible progress to outside observers.
Local drivers have grown weary of navigating the narrow, intermittent traffic bottlenecks that have been a daily reality since construction began. Many have taken to public criticism of the project, questioning why upgrades that seem simple to the casual observer have dragged on with few noticeable changes to the structures that have served the region for decades with little to no regular maintenance.
Evondale Moody, chief engineer for Belize’s Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), explained that the work’s complexity is far greater than it appears from the roadside. The project is being carried out by Cayo Steel, contracted by the government to deliver comprehensive structural overhauls that will extend the service life of both critical river crossings for decades to come. To maintain at least partial access for local residents and tourism operations throughout the build, the contractor is working on one half of each bridge at a time. This phased approach requires crews to completely remove one lane’s structural components, conduct full sandblasting to remove corrosion and wear, perform preventative maintenance, apply new protective coatings, then reassemble each section before shifting work to the other side of the span.
“These structures have stood for a very long time with almost no upkeep,” Moody noted, adding that the government launched the initiative to reverse decades of deferred maintenance and bring the bridges up to modern safety standards. He also acknowledged that the construction zone disrupts access to dozens of rural villages and popular tourism destinations scattered throughout the Belize River Valley. MIDH has deployed on-site liaisons to communicate directly with local communities about the scope and timeline of the work, and Moody asked for the public’s continued patience as crews work through the detailed, labor-intensive process.
Moody emphasized that the ministry is advancing the project as efficiently as possible given its current available budget and resources, reaffirming that it remains aligned with the original 18-month construction schedule. This report is a transcript of an evening television newscast originally published online.