Hawkesworth Bridge

Built in 1949 and imported from Middlesbrough, England,[1] it crosses the Macal River linking San Ignacio to its sister-town Santa Elena.

Work began in October 2012 on a new, larger bridge that will link Santa Elena and San Ignacio that will span 154 meters across the Macal River.

It was opened on Saturday August 20, 1949 and was named after the late Sir Edward Gerald Hawkesworth, former governor of British Honduras.

Tenders for the construction of the bridge were called from July 1946 and subsequently contracted were Messrs. Head Wrightson & Co Ltd for the steel work and Messrs Bruntons Ltd of Musselburgh, Scotland for the cables.

The opening of the ceremony was done by A. Hamilton Anderson and in his speech mentions, “perhaps as far back as eight years ago (1942), trucks began making very slow and very rough passages to and from the end of the slowly advancing Cayo Road during the dry season.

He hoped that the bridge would contribute and restore relations between this country and the Republic of Guatemala, and bring prosperity not only to the district but to the whole colony.

He cut the ribbon saying,” I declare the Hawkesworth Bridge at El Cayo duly open” His Excellency and Mrs. Garvey were also given bouquets by the two girls ( Marina Urbina).

The bridge was crossed by Governor Garvey in his car, followed by church dignitaries, members of Council, Heads of Government and the general public.