Diversions along the Philip Goldson Highway Commence

If you were travelling along the Philip Goldson Highway from Ladyville to Belize City today, you would have noticed that two new checkpoints have been set up – one near the junction with the airport road and the other at the roundabout near the entrance to Benny’s Apartments. These checkpoints were put in place in the wake of the public notice on vehicular load restrictions for the Haulover Bridge, which took effect today, but also to divert those vehicles that surpass the prescribed weight. These checkpoints are expected to remain in place until later this year. But take note that the traffic officers will only be advising commuters for one week, thereafter, you will be ticketed for violations. This evening, News Five spoke with Chief Transport Officer Diane Vasquez.

Diane Vasquez, Chief Transport Officer, Department of Transport

Diane Vasquez

“Our role is to provide that support and guidance for commuters and travellers on the road to ensure that the weight restriction is upheld and that these commuters know which direction they should go as a result of this public notice, starting today. It is important to highlight that these officers will be out there for approximately one week, guiding traffic and after the week is over, then violators will be ticketed. So we are out there for one week providing this assistance and guidance to the public and after the one week, then we will be ticketing violators. So far, I have been informed that the commuters have been compliant so I am happy to hear that and I encourage them to bear patients as we try to rectify the situation. They will be there for the week providing assistance and guidance, but they will remain out there as long as is necessary or advised by MIDH until the bridge situation has been resolved. So it is just for the week they will be providing that guidance, thereafter, we will be enforcing and upholding these restrictions that were imposed by MIDH.”

Duane Moody

“Is there a fine associated with that ticket?”

Diane Vasquez

“Well it depends on the type of offense. There are various offenses, but it can range anywhere from over a hundred dollars.”