BELIZE CITY, Wed. June 7, 2023

I write as one of the descendants of the original settlers of the Placencia peninsula.

The good Minister for the area has resurrected the idea of a bridge from Placencia to Independence Village to solve the transportation problem in the area. The idea previously came up years ago by the then area representative, and was quite sensibly rejected.

My first suggestion would be to build a high school on the Placencia peninsula. Apart from the students in Placencia, this would serve the communities of Seine Bight, Maya Beach, and the large developing village at the roundabout at the intersection of the Southern Highway and the Placencia Road.

The Independence community is a fast-growing mainland village. Placencia is a small peninsula, approximately 13 miles long and about 500 feet wide, and much wider in some areas. It is approximately 80% developed, and is separated from Independence by a lagoon. It is accessible by a modern road 24 miles long. Presently, Placencia is serviced by a boat ferry, Hokey Pokey, between Placencia and Independence, which is about a one-mile distance traveling by lagoon.

Instead of a multimillion-dollar bridge, why not consider the alternative of a motorized ferry which can be built for about one-tenth the cost of a bridge? This ferry would accommodate up to 150 persons. This does not necessarily have to be government-funded. The existing Hokey Pokey management can be supported to accomplish this with a loan from the Development Finance Corporation or the Belize Social Security Board.

A ferry will not block the passage of sailboats and other sea-going vessels traversing the lagoon, unlike a bridge, and would be more environmentally friendly than a bridge. It is envisioned that the environmentalists would more readily support the idea of having a ferry system linking more communities, rather than a costly and not so environmentally friendly bridge.

Another subject is for a ferry to Monkey River, a former town, which is dying. Eight miles further, the village of Punta Negra is dead. This ferry would open up the pristine beach shores between Monkey River and Punta Negra. Punta Negra has beaches similar to Placencia, with a mile-wide lagoon teeming with marine life, and a natural paradise environment.

This proposed plan would follow the pattern of how Placencia was physically developed, by having a dirt road followed by a paved road. The private sector would take care of the rest, such as hotels and boating facilities. In time, this entire area would become a popular destination for the tourism industry.

Sincerely,
Henry Young, Sr.