The Government of Belize, under the previous administration, secured funding for the Philip Goldson Highway and Remate Bypass Upgrading Project in the form of part grant from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) and loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The procurement process commenced with the prequalification of contractors in July 2020 and subsequent evaluation of bids by independent Consultant Politecnica of Italy, in December 2020. After careful consideration and honouring the existing commitment to the funding partners, Cabinet determined that the project was vital for promoting economic development, enhancing road safety and climate resilience, and therefore approved its implementation.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing conducted its own diligent review of the selection process to ensure impartiality and transparency, and now wishes to announce that contracts for Lot 1 to 4 have been awarded as follows:
Lot 1 – Teichroeb & Sons Ltd for a total amount of BZ$10,530,865.48. This lot includes two sections of the Philip Goldson Highway, Section A and Section D. Section A commences at the existing culvert at approximately Mile 24.5 and terminates at the existing roundabout at the beginning of the Orange Walk bypass. Section D commences from the northern intersection of the Remate Road bypass and terminates at the border post in Santa Elena.
Civil Works will include:
• Installation of additional and new drainage structures as well as side roads and driveways to improve climate resilience;
• Shoulder widening and pavement strengthening utilizing a double bituminous surface treatment (DBST) pavement;
• Road safety features including line marking, road studs, traffic signs, bus lay-bys and traffic calming measures along the entire route. Additional road safety features in Carmelita Village include designated pedestrian/bicycle paths, pedestrian crossings, and rumble strips;
• Construction of a roundabout at the Crooked Tree junction.
Lot 2 – Cisco Construction Ltd. for a total amount of BZ$27,079,302.32. This section commences from the existing roundabout at the beginning of the Orange Walk bypass and terminates just before the proposed new roundabout forming the southern end of the Remate bypass.
Civil Works will include:
• Installation of additional and new drainage structures as well as side roads and driveways to improve climate resilience;
• Shoulder widening and pavement strengthening utilizing a double bituminous surface treatment (DBST) pavement;
• Realignment of the Mamayal Curve to avoid blind spots and improve safety;
• Road safety features including line marking, road studs, traffic signs, bus lay-bys and traffic calming measures along the entire route. Additional road safety features in all villages along this section include designated pedestrian/bicycle paths, pedestrian crossings, and rumble strips.
Lot 3 – Cisco Construction Ltd. for a total amount of BZ$21,931,778.70 which comprises the construction of the entire Remate Road bypass.
Civil Works will include:
• Installation of additional and new drainage structures as well as side roads and driveways to improve climate resilience;
• Shoulder widening and upgrading from gravel road to international paved standard utilizing a double bituminous surface treatment (DBST) pavement;
• Road safety features including line marking, road studs, traffic signs, bus lay-bys and traffic calming measures along the entire route. Additional road safety features in all villages along the Remate bypass include designated pedestrian/bicycle paths, pedestrian crossings, and rumble strips.
• Construction of two roundabout at the south and north intersection of Remate bypass and the Philip Goldson Highway.
Lot 4 – Teichroeb & Sons Ltd. for a total amount of BZ$19,791,478.71. This lot includes two sections of the Philip Goldson Highway: Sections E1 and E2. Section E1 commences at the southern end of the Remate bypass and terminates at the existing roundabout at the southern end of the existing dual carriageway boulevard in Corozal Town. Section E2 commences from the northern end of the Remate bypass and terminates at the start of the existing dual carriageway boulevard in Corozal Town.
Civil Works will include:
• Installation of additional and new drainage structures as well as side roads and driveways to improve climate resilience;
• Shoulder widening and upgrading from gravel road to international paved standard utilizing a double bituminous surface treatment (DBST) pavement;
• Realignment of the Tumbaito Curve to avoid blind spots and improve safety;
• Realignment of the intersection to Chan Chen to avoid blind spots and improve safety;
• Road safety features including line marking, road studs, traffic signs, bus lay-bys and traffic calming measures along the entire route. Additional road safety features in all villages along the route include designated pedestrian/bicycle paths, pedestrian crossings, and rumble strips.
The procurement method used was the international competitive bidding and selection of contractors was done by independent consultant Politecnica of Italy, in accordance with the Caribbean Development Banks Procedures for Selection of Contractors (2019).
Works will commence June 2021 and is expected to be completed by August 2023.
