The project was announced in 2020 by President Luis Abinader
By Carolyne Bello
Special for El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO. – The bidding process for the construction of the Amber Highway has been subject to multiple announcements, reschedulings, and extensions since its first public notice in October 2025.
The project was announced by President Luis Abinader during his inaugural address on August 16, 2020, and cited in several accountability speeches to the country, such as on February 21, 2021, February 27, 2023, and February 27, 2024.
In the course of less than a year, the authorities have communicated on various occasions the publication, continuation and adjustments of the process, through modifications to the official schedule.
According to the records of the process, the bidding process has gone through several announcements since its initial announcement:
-August 16, 2020: President Luis Abinader announces the project during his inauguration
-October 2025: The first public announcement regarding the project tender is made.
-November 11, 2025: Authorities announce that the call for bids would be launched in the following days.
-November 27, 2025: The national public tender is published.
-January 2026: The Government offers follow-up and reaffirms the continuity of the process.
-April 2026: Extensions are introduced, extending the initially established deadlines.
-May 5, 2026: A new date is set for the start of the bid submission period.
More ads
In October 2025, Abinader announced that they already had the resources for the project, indicating that RD$8.5 billion had been identified to begin the process through RD Vial.
In November of that same year, the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, announced the official opening of the National Public Tender for the design and construction of the connecting road between the Northern Ring Road of Santiago and the Puerto Plata–Sosúa road.
“We are announcing the call for bids for the national public tender for the construction of the Amber Highway, a road that will connect Santiago with Puerto Plata in minutes. We are talking about the most important main road in the country yet to be built, a project that will transform the economic, tourism, and social dynamics of the Cibao region,” stated Paliza.
The process, governed by Law 340-06 on Public Procurement and Contracting, received proposals until March 20, 2026.
Start of receiving offers
During a recent luncheon at the Corripio Communications Group, the Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Estrella, announced that on May 5th he will formally begin receiving proposals for the construction of the Amber Highway, considered a key project for connectivity in the northern region.
The official explained that the deadlines have been extended in order to encourage greater participation from companies interested in the process.
“Some extensions were granted, with the intention that the more companies that participate, the better,” he said.
Process details
According to reports, companies were required to submit their proposals in two envelopes: one technical and one financial. The technical aspects will be evaluated in the first phase, and the financial bids will be opened subsequently.
Estrella assured that, despite adjustments to the schedule, the process is proceeding according to established procedures. The project has not yet been awarded; this will depend on the evaluation of proposals received since May 5th.
Strategic Impact
The Amber Highway is considered a key infrastructure project to strengthen the connection between Santiago and Puerto Plata. Its construction would reduce travel times, boost tourism, stimulate trade, and improve the mobility of passengers and goods.
Authorities project that the project will have a significant impact on regional economic development by consolidating a more efficient road corridor between two of the country's main productive and tourist areas.
Transformation for the northern zone
The project description includes the hiring of a private partner for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a new toll road between Santiago de los Caballeros and Puerto Plata called the Amber Highway.
The Amber Highway will be 32.7 kilometers long with a design speed of 100 km/h, connecting the towns of Santiago de los Caballeros and Montellano (Puerto Plata), and will have a toll station whose collection management will be in charge of the RD-Vial Trust.
Sources consulted:
• Ministry of Public Works and Communications
• Ministry of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic
• RD-Vial Trust
• Ensegundos.do
Accent
Recommended readings:
- New proposal to build the Amber Highway would link it with the Santiago Ring Road and the Punta Bergantín real estate project
- Less than four years after investing RD$60 million, citizens warn about the deterioration of the Duarte Bridge
- Public Works reports intervention on critical section of Ocoa highway
