SANTO DOMINGO.- An ambitious project to construct and rehabilitate more than 1,400 kilometers of rural and inter-parcel roads throughout the national territory, with a projected investment exceeding 1.4 billion pesos, was announced yesterday by the Dominican government.
The program, which aims to improve conditions for the country's agricultural producers, will be led by the Ministry of Agriculture. Limber Cruz, head of that ministry, explained yesterday at a press conference that the project will benefit the entire country, beginning simultaneously in 27 provinces and covering 1,405 kilometers.
He argued that the plan seeks to provide support to national production and exports, ensuring that products leave the fields on time and guarantee food security.
“Today we are beginning with an initial 20 percent advance payment to 63 construction companies, totaling 292,658,136.95 pesos, who will immediately begin work in coordination with the Roads Department. We will be impacting 1,405 kilometers of rural roads, a record figure for this Ministry in a single year,” said the official, announcing that the two public bidding and awarding processes to the construction companies have been completed.
Delivery of the first payments to the contractors. (External source).
The project has an investment of RD$ 1,463 million, 290 thousand 648 pesos with 71 cents.
It was detailed that in execution there will be a first batch that includes 38 companies for an amount of RD$ 1,055 million, 043 thousand 607 pesos with 68 cents, to intervene 963.45 kilometers; and a second process of 25 companies, with an amount of RD$ 408 million, 247 thousand 077 pesos with 03 cents, to intervene 441.60 kms. of productive rural roads.
The North Central and Northeast regions will have the largest number of rehabilitated and rebuilt rural roads, as they suffered the most damage from Tropical Storm Franklin and the rains of the atmospheric disturbance last November, especially the areas of Bajo Yuna, La Vega, María Trinidad Sánchez, Sánchez Ramírez, San Francisco de Macorís and Espaillat, explains a press document.
He adds that 568 kilometers of roads will be impacted in the aforementioned districts. Additionally, 402 kilometers will be affected in the Southern zone, 205 in the North and Northwest Line, and 160 in the Eastern provinces.
Félix López, from the company Alianza del Caribe, spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries and said that these are important works for the Dominican countryside and that they help the producers.
