The construction project for the Belize II Bridge has been suspended since May 1. At this time, the future is conditioned by changes that are intended to be introduced in the design of the work, adjacent structures at risk, legal issues to be resolved and pending right-of-way issues along the route.
According to Foscolo Liano, general manager of the Muratori SA Group, the executing company, changes are being made to the contract, which means that construction cannot move forward either. These modifications are due to variations in the design that will change the original purpose of the project. Liano also indicated that some sections of the project have been invaded, so talks must begin to relocate those who are installed on the site.
The Belize II Bridge began as a project to alleviate the traffic currently being carried out on the Belize I Bridge and to create an alternate route between Zone 6, Zone 17 and the entire northern zone, explained Cecilia Pivaral, who is part of the infrastructure committee of the Guatemala No se Detiene initiative, who added that the project is important since more than 25% of people live in the northern part of the capital.
Pivaral argued that this project –which has been envisioned in this way since 2016– was intended to be multimodal, since the area in which it is located has long required generating greater connectivity. The member of Guatemala No Se Detiene pointed out that at the moment, the area is limited by the accesses of the Belize I Bridge and the bridges through zone 1 and the peripheral ring road, which already have a considerable number of vehicles per day.
Liano assured that currently, operations have not been resumed, however, he added that a technical table was created to engage in conversations with all those involved and thus establish the points that will be defined to continue with the project. Pivaral explained that 1 or 2 meetings have been held, and that they are still in discussions to discover the possible scenarios to proceed legally with the changes to the project design.
Changes and invasions
Table of Contents
- 1 Changes and invasions
- 2 Project participants
- 3 Risk issues
- 4 Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) related questions for the title **”The Belize II Bridge Construction Project: Challenges and Uncertainties”**:
- 5 Here are some PAA (People Also Ask) related questions for the title: **The Belize II Bridge Construction Project: Challenges and Uncertainties**:
Table of Contents
Liano mentioned that the design is being changed so that freight trains can pass over the bridge, not including vehicles, the passage of the metro and making some kind of bicycle lane or pedestrian crossing. This would change the origin of the project, which was intended so that vehicles could also pass over it, argued Pivaral.
He also clarified that this construction, in its original model, was part of a strategy that sought to create mass public transport and generate connectivity. “The aim was to provide actions that would generate connectivity to the northern sector, so that in the future, with other projects, a bypass could be built from the south of the city to the Atlantic highway,” Pivaral said.
However, these changes have not yet been resolved. Liano assured that they depend largely on the technical committee created. “This committee also includes some lawyers, because it involves the contract, company personnel and railway personnel,” explained the company general manager. In addition to this, Liano assured that despite not being able to estimate a time for operations to resume, they are trying to reach a consensus.
In addition to the design change, Liano said there have been problems with people who have invaded some areas of the project and have set up their homes there. The company’s general manager said that these rights of way belong to the railroad, so they must vacate according to the law. According to Liano, talks are already underway with the people to change their location and take the appropriate step.
Project participants
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Alejandro García emphasizes that changes are also being made to take into account other project participants and listed the entities involved in the project: the right of way belongs to Fegua, the usufruct belongs to Ferrovías and the protection of the Las Vacas Bridge is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and Sports. According to García, this is the reason for adding a freight train, due to the usufruct of Ferrovías.
Pivaral indicated that the intention of the analysis is related to maintaining the contract and that the amount should be maintained but changing the scope. “What they want is to work with the same resources that were assigned to this project,” Pivaral said. García argued that any change made within the contract will directly affect the amount of the budget and cost of the contract. However, it should be noted that, according to article 52 of the state contracting law, the value of contracts can only be increased or reduced by 20%.
García said that the talks on the budget have not yet been held, since they are still in the legal and contractual phase. However, he reiterated the need to make decisions collectively, which was something that was not being done in the original planning, García pointed out.
Risk issues
The deputy minister of infrastructure argued that the project’s pause is also due to a notification from Conred, which emphasizes the high risk of the Las Vacas bridge collapsing. García explained that the Belize II Bridge was planned to be built next to the Las Vacas bridge, however, due to the probability of this bridge collapsing, there is a risk of damaging the project’s infrastructure.
According to García, the relevant studies are currently being carried out so as not to jeopardise the construction. “We are consulting to make the best decision on how to approach this project,” said the vice-minister. In addition to this, he reiterated the need to carry out a technical analysis that will allow a solution to this project in order to avoid any risks and thus continue with the project.
García also explained that the technical committee where the talks are taking place was created approximately two weeks ago, so there are still pending talks on the studies that will allow the interests of the state to be protected. He added: “There is a latent risk and we cannot risk the funds of Guatemalans, nor human lives,” the vice minister said. “If it is not feasible to carry it out, we will have to see ourselves obliged to dissolve the contract,” added García.
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#Invasions #design #complicate #reactivation #Belize #Bridge
The Belize II Bridge Construction Project: Challenges and Uncertainties
The construction of the Belize II Bridge, a project intended to alleviate traffic congestion in Guatemala City, has been suspended since May 1st due to changes in the design, legal issues, and right-of-way concerns. The project, which aims to create an alternate route between Zone 6, Zone 17, and the northern zone, has been envisioned since 2016 as a multimodal solution to improve connectivity in the area.
Changes in the Project Design
Foscolo Liano, general manager of the Muratori SA Group, the executing company, explained that changes are being made to the contract, which will alter the original purpose of the project. The design modifications include the incorporation of a freight train route, pedestrian or bicycle crossing, and the exclusion of vehicles from the bridge. Cecilia Pivaral, a member of the infrastructure committee of the Guatemala No se Detiene initiative, argued that this change will affect the project’s original intention to create mass public transport and generate connectivity.
Invasions and Right-of-Way Issues
Liano highlighted that some areas of the project have been invaded by people who have set up their homes, posing a challenge to the project’s progress. The company’s general manager emphasized that talks are underway to relocate these individuals and resolve the right-of-way issues, which belong to the railroad.
Project Participants and Interests
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Alejandro García highlighted the involvement of various entities in the project, including Fegua, Ferrovías, and the Ministry of Culture and Sports. García explained that the intention is to maintain the contract while changing the scope, working with the same resources assigned to the project. However, any changes made to the contract will directly affect the budget and cost of the project.
Risk Issues
García emphasized that the project’s pause is also due to a notification from Conred, which highlights the high risk of the Las Vacas bridge collapsing. The deputy minister of infrastructure explained that the Belize II Bridge was planned to be built next to the Las Vacas bridge, posing a risk to the project’s infrastructure. García reiterated the need for a technical analysis to find a solution to this project, avoiding any risks and protecting the interests of the state.
Conclusion
The construction of the Belize II Bridge, a crucial project for Guatemala City, faces significant challenges and uncertainties. The changes in the project design, invasions, right-of-way issues, and risk concerns have led to the suspension of the project. As the technical committee works to resolve these issues, it is essential to prioritize the interests of the state, protect human lives, and ensure the feasibility of the project.
Sources:
[1] – Guatemala and Belize tourism information
[2] – Belize country information
* [[3]](https
The Belize II Bridge Construction Project: Challenges and Uncertainties
The Belize II Bridge construction project has been suspended since May 1, and its future is uncertain due to changes in the design, adjacent structures at risk, legal issues, and pending right-of-way issues along the route. The project, which began as a way to alleviate traffic on the Belize I Bridge and create an alternate route between Zone 6, Zone 17, and the northern zone, has been plagued by challenges and uncertainties.
Changes and Invasions
Foscolo Liano, general manager of the Muratori SA Group, the executing company, stated that changes are being made to the contract, which means that construction cannot move forward. These modifications are due to variations in the design that will change the original purpose of the project. Liano also indicated that some sections of the project have been invaded, and talks must begin to relocate those who are currently installed on the site.
The design is being changed to allow freight trains to pass over the bridge, excluding vehicles, and adding a pedestrian crossing or bicycle lane. This change would alter the original purpose of the project, which was intended to allow vehicles to pass over the bridge as well.
Project Participants
The project involves several stakeholders, including Fegua, Ferrovías, and the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Alejandro García emphasized that changes are being made to take into account these project participants. The right of way belongs to Fegua, the usufruct belongs to Ferrovías, and the protection of the Las Vacas Bridge is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Risk Issues
The project faces risk issues, including the need to relocate people who have invaded areas of the project and set up their homes there. These rights of way belong to the railroad, and talks are underway to change their location and take the appropriate step.
Current Status
Currently, operations have not been resumed, and a technical table has been created to engage in conversations with all those involved. The goal is to establish the points that will be defined to continue with the project. Meetings have been held, and discussions are ongoing to discover the possible scenarios to proceed legally with the changes to the project design.
Conclusion
The Belize II Bridge construction project has been suspended due to changes in the design, adjacent structures at risk, legal issues, and pending right-of-way issues along the route. The project faces challenges and uncertainties, including the need to relocate people who have invaded areas of the project. Despite these challenges, stakeholders are working to find a solution and move forward with the project.
In contrast, there are other bridge construction projects that are progressing as planned. For example, the Haulover Bridge project in Belize is expected to be completed next year[[[1]]. The project, which commenced in
