I don’t think there is anyone NOT excited about the news that the San Pedro Town Council has shared about a ban on large trucks and container trucks within the town core. You heard it right, after all the cries of help from San Pedro residents, the Council has seriously taken everyone’s concerns and taken action. The fact that the resolution will take into effect until next year, April 2025, has residents asking, “Why wait; why not start this immediately?” I reached out to Mayor Wally Nuñez and this is what he told me:
“We needed to give time for the Ministry of Transport to pass it through Cabinet and make it legal. We are also giving ample time for the truck companies to make all necessary adjustments so we don’t get any complaints that they didn’t know or that they couldn’t make proper changes. So it will be fair for everyone. Another critical point is that we are working on some streets and we will be stock piling material so that it doesn’t have to be trucked later on.”
So, the resolution will come into effect on April 2025, as part of a long-awaited solution to traffic management and safety concerns. This is a 6-month notice to all large trucks and container trucks that will not be allowed in town core and will need to use barge routes for materials and offload cargo outside town core. (town core is being defined from the Boca del Rio Bridge to the South Gas Station).
Concern over Large Trucks No More
Trucks with existing permits from the Ambergris Caye Traffic Control Committee (a body external to the council) will require special approval from the Town Council to access the core of town, with strict rules enforced, including limited peak-hour access and escort by traffic wardens. They must present clear justification why the transfer of cargo via barge is not an option. These new regulations aim to reduce the risks posed by large trucks while ensuring a smoother, safer flow of traffic in San Pedro.
The council’s efforts to address the island’s rapid development and growing traffic issues reflect their commitment to community safety, while balancing the needs of businesses for a fair transition into the new system. Residents have long voiced concerns over large trucks in the area, and the council promises this resolution will create a safer, more efficient town center.
