Progress is rolling in for the long awaited BelCan Bridge replacement, but for some commuters and small business owners, it’s coming with tough decisions. As the government clears the way for a temporary bridge to keep traffic moving during construction, taxi operators and roadside vendors along the Phillip Goldson Highway and Central American Boulevard are being asked to pack up and move. While officials say the relocation is necessary to ease congestion, not everyone is convinced the transition will be smooth. Some operators worry that the move could hit their livelihoods hard. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing is moving ahead with preparations for the BelCan Bridge replacement. Before construction begins, the ministry plans to put up a temporary bridge to keep traffic flowing. To make that happen, officials have notified taxi operators, vehicle owners, and others using the road reserve near the BelCan Bridge that they must clear the area. Chief Engineer Evondale Moody explained the decision to News Five.
Evondale Moody
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH
“We have signed a contract agreement with Cisco Construction Limited for the replacement of the BelCan Bridge. And so in respect to replacement of the BelCan Bridge we will be placing a temporary bridge to alleviate the traffic congestion within the city. So that temporary bridge will be constructed behind Save U Supermarket. There is an open lot behind Save U on the Phillip Goldson Highway. So the new temporary bridge will span from the Phillip Goldson Highway, across Haulover Creek to Evergreen Street beside BWS. Whereby we will be utilizing BWS property for the approach to the bridge.”
With construction on a temporary bridge set to begin on May fourth, the ripple effects are already being felt along the Phillip Goldson Highway. From car dealers parked near Save U Supermarket to roadside businesses by the Hope Center and taxi operators stationed near Comex, many are now asking how the upcoming works will affect their daily operations. According to Chief Engineer Evondale Moody, the contractor won’t be wasting any time, preparations for the permanent BelCan Bridge replacement will get underway at the same time.
Evondale Moody
“And so in an effort to accommodate the contractor we need to ensure the site is cleared. We have to hand over the site cleared to the contractor. So we have to ensure the taxis that are parked from the Phillip Goldson Highway are removed because they are parked within the highway reserve which is under the mandate of the MIDH. We also have to ensure the car dealers located on the Central American Boulevard in front of Save U Supermarket that they are moved as well, because the contractor simultaneously is doing setting out works for the new BelCan Bridge.”
At least five car dealers operate from the site, and several told us the relocation notice will hurt their businesses. Some say they have nowhere else to park their vehicles and fear losing customers. Others are taking a different view. Car dealer Nelson Zayden, who has operated from the location since 2017, says he has no issue complying with the directive.
Voice of: Nelson Zayden
Voice of: Nelson Zayden, Car Dealer
“They gave us informally maybe six months’ notice or maybe longer. I received a phone call saying we have two weeks to officially move, we have until May fourth. It is fine, there is no issues with that. We don’t even belong there in a sense. City Council just gave us a break and told us it is fine. But it is fine. We will move on. Vehicles will still sell; we have to advertise electronically and try to bring that market flow there.”
The businessman, who has operated outside the Hope Center for more than ten years, says he’ll relocate and continue working. Tony’s Barbeque will also be allowed to remain at their location in the area.
Evondale Moody
“We are also aware there is a barbeque stand near the overpass, I think it is called Tony’s. He has been selling there for quite some time. However, because we have to ensure that we provide an adequate path for pedestrians that will be alighting from the new temporary bridge to utilize the overpass, he has an overhang shed from the barbeque stand that needs to be removed because that is blocking the footpath going to the stairs of the overpass.”
Moody says it is unlikely that these business operations will be allowed to return to the area when construction is completed in 2028. As Swing Bridge works get underway, the ministry must also compensate two established small businesses expected to relocate. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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