The project aims to capture water from critical areas such as 27 de Febrero, Rómulo Betancourt, Anacaona and Sarasota avenues
SANTO DOMINGO.– Every rainy season brings to light one of Santo Domingo's main urban vulnerabilities: the capacity of the drainage system to handle large volumes of water in a city that continues to grow and develop on an infrastructure that in many places is insufficient.
In response to this problem, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) began work on a new hydraulic infrastructure that seeks to reduce the impact of flooding in a large area of the National District: a drainage tunnel of approximately three kilometers that will connect from John F. Kennedy Avenue to the Malecón.
According to information provided by Minister Eduardo Estrella, the first stage of the project has already begun and includes the construction of this large underground collector, designed to capture water from sectors located in the western area of Santo Domingo and channel it to the corresponding discharge system.
A solution for critical points in the city
According to the official, the tunnel will allow the incorporation of connections from areas where water accumulation has historically occurred during episodes of intense rainfall, including sectors near the 27 de Febrero, Rómulo Betancourt, Anacaona and Sarasota avenues.
“It would be the first complete collector in Santo Domingo,” the official said, noting that the infrastructure aims to benefit areas that have recurring drainage problems, including areas of Santo Domingo West and sectors near the former location of the airport.
The project is part of a strategy aimed at improving the city's hydraulic capacity through a larger-scale infrastructure, capable of responding to urban growth and the challenges associated with stormwater management.
A project that will take more than a year to complete
According to the head of the institution, the construction of this first stage will have an estimated period of between 15 and 16 months, although its progress will depend on the conditions of the terrain during the excavation work.
He also reported that the second stage of the project is expected to move forward in the coming months, with the goal of completing the tunnel connection from John F. Kennedy Avenue to the Malecón coastline.
The challenge of drainage in a growing city
The urban development of Greater Santo Domingo has increased the pressure on existing drainage systems, due to the increase in impermeable surfaces such as streets, buildings and parking lots, which reduce the soil's natural capacity to absorb rainwater.
In this context, hydraulic infrastructure solutions have become a key component for planning cities that are more resilient to extreme weather events.
Recommended readings:
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