an endless power transmission belt construction and a method of making the same are provided , the belt construction comprising an endless flexible carrier and a plurality of transverse belt elements assembled on the carrier , each belt element having a peripheral face and a medial slot passing therethrough and receiving part of the carrier therein . each belt element has a slit in the peripheral face thereof that leads to the slot thereof and a hinge spaced from the slit thereof that permits the belt element to have the slit thereof opened sufficiently to permit at least part of the carrier to be received therethrough for subsequent positioning in the slot thereof and thereafter be moved to a closed position to prevent at least that part of the carrier from escaping through the slit . each belt element has two adjacent surfaces defining the slit thereof therebetween . each belt element has a fastening member securing the adjacent surfaces thereof against each other so that the slit thereof is maintained in the closed position thereof .