Sir Barry Bowen Bridge

2022 was another eventful year for the country and San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. From the historic royal visit of members of the British Royal Family, the transition of COVID-19 regulations, the change of command at Region Four (Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye) of the Police Department and the island’s Fire Service, to the levels of crime and the progress of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC). Here are highlights from 2022.

Over the past months, golf cart rentals in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, have reported a dent in their fleet due to the increase in cart theft. Some companies say the stealing has not slowed down, and it is primarily affecting clients staying in northern Ambergris Caye. As such, they ask the police to establish a more substantial presence in this part of the island.

As construction moves to complete the next half of the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge in the Boca del Rio area, the current one-lane structure continues to experience congestion during the island’s rush hour. An incident on Monday, December 5th, involving a large truck caused great concern and prompted many motorists to question if the truck companies are respecting the traffic regulations for these large vehicles set by the San Pedro Town Council.

The reconstruction of the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge in the Boca del Rio area may not be completed by the end of the year as previously projected by the San Pedro Town Council. Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez said on Wednesday, November 23rd, that it may take up to February 2023 before the concrete bridge is fully open to motorists.

Mayor Gualberto' Wally' Nuñez said that when the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge in the Boca del Rio area is complete, it will be at the hefty cost of $5 million. He explained that one of the reasons is due to additional features the structure will count on to enhance its durability and safety for motorists and pedestrians. The second phase of construction to replace the other wooden half of the bridge will start this week and be completed by the end of this year.

Construction on the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge in the Boca del Rio area has stopped for quite some time now, and only one section has been renovated. The original wooden half of the bridge is yet to be renovated. Residents have become increasingly concerned about when this section will be refurbished as it continues to deteriorate under the heavy use of small and large vehicles. According to motorists, the old bridge section shakes, and some of the wooden boards seem loose. In May, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) stated that works on this wooden part of the bridge would start immediately following the completion of the first half, but it's almost September, and there have been no updates about this project.

On Thursday, May 19th, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) announced that the old section of the Sir Barry Bowen bridge at Boca del Rio would be closed effective Friday, May 20th, due to structural damage. Motorists will have access to the bridge’s recently completed new extension. Any vehicle larger than a Polaris will be required to cross the bridge at a specific time.

Work adding an extension to the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge at Boca del Rio continues. Once this is complete, the original bridge will be dismantled and rebuilt, turning it into a two-lane concrete structure. The bridge will not only be stronger, but according to Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez, it will maintain a reasonable clearance allowing for the passage of large boats below.