DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

PRESS RELEASE
Belmopan, Thursday, January 22, 2015
San Lazaro to August Pine Ridge road officially opened
10.5 kilometres of roadway between San Lazaro and August Pine Ridge in Orange Walk was officially opened
today by Head of the EU Delegation to Belize, Ambassador Paola Amadei and officials of the Ministry of Works.
The re-opening of the road follows a comprehensive rehabilitation of its structure. The rehabilitation was financed
by the European Union and the Government of Belize through funds from the EU's Accompanying Measures for
Sugar (AMS) Programme and is being undertaken in four phases. The San Lazaro to August Pine Ridge was
completed under phase three of the programme at a cost of 2.91 million BZ$4.4 million. The Rural Road
Rehabilitation Project programme which began in 2008 and will end in 2016, supports the upgrade of 29 key roads
in the sugar areas at a cost of over 42.7 million (BZD 106.7million).
The roads rehabilitated under the project have major importance for the sugar sector as well as the social
development of northern Belize. The improved road network is expected to improve the competitiveness of the
Sugar Industry through reducing transport time from the field to the mill as well as provide better access to social
services such as education and health. The rehabilitation will also impact road safety and improve the community's
accessibility to other economic opportunities. The San Lazaro and August Pine Ridge road rehabilitation consists of
an improved road surface, widening of the roadway as well culvert and drain construction.
Head of the EU Delegation to Belize Ambassador Paola Amadei noted that the EU has been supporting the
repositioning of the industry at various levels for years and called on stakeholders to maintain the developments
which have been made possible."With better roads come better linkages, opportunities to diversify to other
industries, faster transport times translating into efficiency, competitiveness and improved living conditions.
Each road has been upgraded to international specifications and with proper maintenance should serve
communities for years. At the end of the day, however, the positive impact of these projects can quickly be eroded
if proper maintenance and care is not paid to the results."
The overall objective of the AMS programme is to contribute to poverty reduction and improve the standard of
living for sugar dependent communities along Northern Belize.

For more information Contact

EU Technical Support Office
3358 Floral Park Street
Belmopan
Office number: (011-501)-822-0868
Fax number: (011-501)-822-2863