Phil, I don't know the exact number but there must be in excess of 1,000 condo units north of the bridge and many private homes which bring much money, jobs and taxes to San Pedro. Many workers are much more prosperous now than they were even 5 or 6 years ago.
Until the road was put in what did the north get in return? I'll tell you. No water or sewer; no trash pick up; little police protection; no street lights and what road repairs (if you want to call what we had a road) where usually paid for by the residents. In addition security on that road at night was a much bigger problem than most people realize because not many people talked about it. That was with locals and occasionally tourist. The old road was in one word....TERRIBLE. The "new" road of course has caused other problems but they are small in comparison.
I have no complaints the way the bridge is set up now but I know that the tourist do not like it. The road came about because the government saw the need for it for the good of the whole country. Yes, it took a while for them to realize this but the important part is they did. The complaints I've heard here are minor and I look at it more as a detriment for tourist than those of us that live or have lived in the north. Providing jobs and giving the government more money to hopefully make improvements benefited many that live in other parts of town. And that is a fact.
If the water and sewer plant is ever built, the resorts and residents who are initially served will pay for it over the long term and other poorer areas will eventually benefit and get tired in. The benefits will be to the environment, health and the economy of the whole Island. It could never happen at all if not done this way because only the residents of the north have the money to accomplish this in the north. The need is to attract what makes improvements to everyone.
Be a little patient with the minor gripes and try to look at the big picture.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
