George Price Highway Explained

Country:BLZ
George Price Highway
Terminus A:Belize City
Terminus B:Benque Viejo
Map Custom:yes
Photo Notes:George Price Highway between San Ignacio and Belmopan
Length Mi:77.2
Length Round:1

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.[1] It was renamed the George Price Highway in 2012, after the late former prime minister who led the country to independence in 1981.[2]

History

2003, September 20. The Beaver Dam Creek Bridge was reconstructed as a new steel bridge to replace the old broken concrete bridge.https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/14516

2012, September 20. The Western Highway was renamed the George Price Highway in honour of George Price.https://www.sanpedrosun.com/politics-and-government/2012/09/29/two-highways-renamed-on-independence-day-in-honor-of-national-heroes/

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

DistrictMilekmDestinationNotes
Belize0.00.0Central American Boulevard to Northern Highway and Cemetery RoadElevation, 2 metres
1.62.6Faber RoadMarks approximate western edge of Belize City; elevation, 8 metres
14.323.1Burrell Boom Road19.1 km to Northern Highway; elevation, 6 metres
15.925.6JunctionAccess to Hattieville
29.146.9Near La Democracia, Belize District; Coastal Highway extends 57 km to join Hummingbird Highway near Dangriga; elevation, 32 metres
Cayo46.374.6Access road to Belmopan airstripElevation, 54 metres
47.276.0Hummingbird HighwayAccess to city of Belmopan; elevation, 43 metres
62.199.9Chiquibul RoadElevation, 80 metres
68.5110.3Bridge over Belize RiverHighway enters San Ignacio; elevation, 62 metres
77.2124.3Guatemala borderElevation, 87 metres

References

  1. Book: Vorhees, Mara. Lonely Planet Belize: Cayo District. 2008. Lonely Planet.
  2. Web site: P.U.P. celebrates its 62nd Anniversary. 25 September 2012. Channel5Belize.com. 5 December 2012.