George Price Highway

The George Price Highway is one of four main highways in Belize. It originates in Belize City, runs west through Hattieville, the Belize Zoo, the capital city of Belmopan (northern outskirts), San Ignacio, San José Succotz (across the river from Xunantunich archaeological site) and terminates at the Guatemalan border at Benque Viejo. The highway bisects the country and ties the eastern and western parts of Belize together. A new steel bridge over Beaver Dam Creek was constructed to replace the broken concrete one.

The highway was built in the 1930s and was originally known as the Western Highway.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was renamed the George Price Highway in 2012, after the late former prime minister who led the country to independence in 1981.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

A long bridge was constructed over the narrowest part of the Sibun Swamp, 49.15 chains in length on the Western Road, so as to avoid a detour of eight miles and the crossing of the Belize River twice. This bridge fell into disrepair about the middle of 1887, and wasn't replaced.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite bookTemplate:Source-attribution</ref>

In 1885 the survey of a main road, to run southward, parallel with the coast, about ten miles inland, was undertaken, with the object of opening up communication with Crown lands up to then inaccessible; but owing to restricted funds, no attempt was made to complete this important undertaking.<ref name=":0" />

2003, September 20. The Beaver Dam Creek Bridge was reconstructed as a new steel bridge to replace the old broken concrete bridge.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2012, September 20. The Western Highway was renamed the George Price Highway in honour of George Price.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2016, July. A new roundabout was constructed at the junction of the George Price Highway and the Hummingbird Highway.

2020, March 20. The Roaring Creek Bridge was reconstructed due to the old bridge being too narrow and getting congested.

Junction list

District	Mile	km	Destination	Notes
Belize	0.0	0.0	Central American Boulevard to Northern Highway and Cemetery Road	Elevation, 2 metres
	1.6	2.6	Faber Road	Marks approximate western edge of Belize City; elevation, 8 metres
	14.3	23.1	Burrell Boom Road	19.1 km to Northern Highway; elevation, 6 metres
	15.9	25.6	Junction	Access to Hattieville
	29.1	46.9	Coastal Highway (Manatee Highway)	Near La Democracia, Belize District; Coastal Highway extends 57 km to join Hummingbird Highway near Dangriga; elevation, 32 metres
Cayo	46.3	74.6	Access road to Belmopan airstrip	Elevation, 54 metres
	47.2	76.0	Hummingbird Highway	Access to city of Belmopan; elevation, 43 metres
	62.1	99.9	Chiquibul Road	Elevation, 80 metres
	68.5	110.3	Bridge over Belize River	Highway enters San Ignacio; elevation, 62 metres
	77.2	124.3	Guatemala border	Elevation, 87 metres

References

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