Road transformation in the Dominican Republic: The Government’s ambitious infrastructure plan
The Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Estrella, presented a detailed report on the progress of the country’s road network, highlighting a comprehensive strategy that seeks to modernize national connectivity. Under the vision of President Luis Abinader, the Government has prioritized the optimization of access to Greater Santo Domingo and the elimination of bottlenecks on interregional routes.
The Dominican Republic is consolidating itself as one of the countries with the best connectivity in Latin America, an achievement that, according to Estrella, will be boosted by projects designed for long-term development. Among the works already executed, the modernization of the Plaza de la Bandera, the underground connection towards Pintura, the Ecological Avenue, and the interventions at kilometer 9 of the Duarte Highway stand out.
The infrastructure agenda of the Ministry of Public Works is marked by the president’s vision of developing works in the present, also with a vision towards the future.
Eduardo Estrella, Minister of Public Works
Connectivity without traffic lights: Towards fluid mobility
One of the central axes is to allow transit from Santo Domingo to the north of the country without traffic light interruptions. To achieve this, strategic overpasses are being executed at kilometers 28, 22, and 17 of the Duarte Highway. This network, complemented by various bypasses, will allow a driver to travel from Montecristi to Punta Cana without stopping at a traffic light.
- Bascule Bridge: It will replace the floating bridge over the Ozama River, reducing the opening time from hours to just 15 minutes.
- Duarte Highway: Priority is given to expansion works and the construction of safe U-turns to reduce the high incidence of accidents at critical points.
- New Beltways: Progress is being made on key projects in Navarrete, Los Alcarrizos, Moca, San Francisco de Macorís, and La Otra Banda.
Impact in figures and regional development
The report highlights that 957 kilometers of roads are currently under construction, with a projection to deliver an additional 141 kilometers in the next quarter. Likewise, the bridge plan contemplates the intervention of 220 structures nationwide, including deep maintenance of iconic bridges such as the Duarte, Juan Bosch, and the one in San Pedro de Macorís.
The minister highlighted that these initiatives, supervised by a joint commission of public and private sectors, respond to a need for phased modernization that guarantees security and efficiency for Dominicans, strengthening the economic fabric from rural areas to the main tourist and port hubs.
