Belize-Swing-Bridge-History

*After 75 years New life for Belize Swing Bridge "starting April 1998"

Mennonite contractor, Abe Bannan, 59, was contracted by the Government to build a temporary bridge and repair the Old Belize Swing Bridge. at a cost of approximately one million dollars.

Banman has built a number of bridges in Belize, including the San Roman Bridge at Albion Island and the Maypen Bridge in the Belize District. His most recent work has been the Busman Arnold Bridge near Mile 60 on the Western Highway.

During the nine month repair period the Swing Bridge was closed completely to both pedestrians and motor traffic.

The Swing Bridge included a changed of the whole decking. The repairs included re-placement of steel beams with galvanized substitutes, repairs to the bridge's superstructure and repairs to the massive rollers on the turntable so as to allow for smoother movement when the bridge is being swung.

Swing Bridge, looking at old steel parts taking from between the cement

Paslow Building on the north side of Bridge

1922 July 28th, A Temporary wooden bridge across the river at Belize declared open at noon. This bridge was used during the dismantling of the old and the erection of the new swing bridge.

1940's, days when traffic used to be driving on the left side of the street

Belize Swing Bridge manually turned by men for river traffic to past from the main harbor every day (in the morning and evening)

photos taken by: Patrick Barrow

OLD SWING BRIDGE UNDERGO A MAJOR REPAIRS IN 1998

Built to allow the passage of fishermen to and from the main harbour, this manually-operated swin bridge has faitfully stopped morning and evening traffic every day since 1923.

1961 Hurricane Hattie "The Swing Bridge under water.