Rural access roads and bridges

The MOW will implement the project. The CRTU will provide on-the-job training for over 150 MOW foremen, equipment operators, and technicians and laborers in operating routines, construction standards and practices, equipment maintenance, and job-site management. During this training, 27% (300 miles) of Belize"s RAR"s in all 6 MOW districts will be upgraded to all-weather status. Roads to be upgraded will be those connecting communities with primary roads or markets and those serving agriculturally significant areas. A.I.D. will finance two sets of road construction equipment and the services of a road specialist to supervise their use. The MTU will help the six MOW Districts and MOW headquarters develop an RAR maintenance plan in connection with the World Bank"s primary road maintenance training program. The plan will identify roads to be maintained and personnel to be assigned, as well as budgetary and equipment needs; establish an operating program and schedule; and will include official establishment of an MOW road maintenance function. Maintenance units will be established and equipped in each District; some 100 workers will be trained. On the management level, TA and training will help the MOW develop 5-year operational plans and cost projections; establish a planning framework coordinated with the World Bank project and an Office of Planning and Budgeting; and prepare a national inventory of RAR"s. Finally, TA and training will help mechanics and allied tradesmen in District workshops develop preventive maintenance schedules for equipment, train mechanics and operators in first and limited second echelon repairs, and help organize District toolrooms. A modicum of tools will be procured, and training in equipment use provided as needed. The project will work with 440 miles of deteriorating RAR"s serving 28,355 people in 89 villages. Amendment of 7/5/85 authorizes construction of 54 new all-weather steel bridges. (PD-AAR-357) Amendment of 9/30/87 extends PACD from 1/88 to 4/91 at increased funding. A slight change in project emphasis provides additional TA, training, tools, and equipment for the institutionalizing of a national rural road maintenance program. (PD-KAK-502)