Chetumal, Q.R. — A complete demolition of the Río Hondo International Bridge that connects Mexico with Belize is set for next week. First stages of the project began Monday with the relocation of the immigration offices.
The Río Hondo International Bridge is located in the community of Subteniente López south of the city of Chetumal. It connects the state of Quintana Roo with the country of Belize at a strategic crossing point.
The 62 year old Río Hondo International Bridge will undergo a 42.7 million peso reconstruction paid for by the Government of Mexico.
The project will strengthen the Mexico-Belize border, improve crossing security and boost mobility, commerce and tourism in southern Quintana Roo, said Governor Mara Lezama.
The reconstruction of the bridge would begin next week, which includes practically the complete demolition of the bridge and an expansion from nine to 13 meters wide.
Governor Lezama announced the reconstruction of the Río Hondo International Bridge, a project made possible through negotiations with the Mexican government to strengthen strategic infrastructure on the country’s southern border.
The Governor highlighted that this project was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), which was responsive to the proposal.
It will be implemented at kilometer 3+600 of the Subteniente López branch of the Mex-186 Escárcega–Chetumal federal highway within the Federal Toll-Free Network. The completed project will ensure a safer and more efficient crossing between Mexico and Belize, benefiting more than one million residents.
The official reconstruction will begin next week and will include the complete demolition of the bridge. It will be widened from nine to 13 meters. The project will include the rehabilitation of the deck and pedestrian walkway, the renovation of the metal structure, the construction of curbs, parapets and sidewalks, as well as work on piers, pile caps, and structural supports.
Additionally, traffic signs will be installed and access points will be improved.
The new bridge will improve the structural safety, optimize vehicular and pedestrian traffic conditions and reduce risks for users who cross this border point daily. It will improve border mobility, international trade and regional tourism by providing a more efficient crossing, which will also strengthen connectivity and economic integration between Mexico and Belize, the Government of Mexico said.
The project is part of the efforts promoted by the Quintana Roo government to strengthen the development of southern Quintana Roo, consolidating the Río Hondo International Bridge as a strategic link between Mexico and Central America.
It is one of two bridges that connects the two countries.
The second bridge is the Chactemal International Bridge, also in the community of Subteniente López. It is often referred to as the Subteniente López II International Bridge as is where the immigration offices have been moved to serve the two countries.
Both bridges span the Hondo River. The work is being done by Puebla-based company Puentes y Maniobras S.A. who specialize in the construction of highways and bridges. The demolition and rebuild of the bridge will take approximately six months. The new Rio Hondo International Bridge is scheduled to be operational before the end of the 2026 year.
