The work in this phase includes a reinforced concrete wall structure, chain-link fencing, and a grid of steel profiles with concertina wire on top. Alongside the fence, two (2) access roads, watchtowers, and gates will be built at specific locations, allowing patrols on both sides.
SANTO DOMINGO - The Ministry of Defense (MIDE) has begun the bidding process for the second phase of construction of the smart perimeter fence, which is being built on the border to control cross-border movement between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The new stage involves 110 linear kilometers which, together with the 54 that comprise the first phase and which are in advanced execution, will form an adequate infrastructure to regulate the movements of people, vehicles and commerce and the complex social situations that arise around the 391.6 kilometers that the line that separates the territory of both nations has.
The call for proposals for the “Design of a 110 km Perimeter Fence along the Dominican Republic-Rio Grande border, Phase II” was extended by invitation to seven national and international companies based in the country. Selection criteria included experience and capacity, in accordance with the regulations and procedures for exceptional contracting in cases of national security projects. Proposals will be accepted until Monday, September 5th.
The work in this phase includes a reinforced concrete wall structure, chain-link fencing, and a grid of steel profiles with concertina wire on top. Alongside the fence, two (2) access roads, watchtowers, and gates will be built at specific locations, allowing patrols on both sides.
Furthermore, as part of the technological solutions, both phases will include video surveillance cameras, ground-based radar, motion sensors at specific points, and command, control, communications, and computer (C-4) centers at the official border crossings in Dajabón, Elías Piña, Independencia, and Pedernales. All of these will be integrated with the Armed Forces' command, control, communications, computer, cybersecurity, and intelligence (C5i) center. Drones with day and night vision cameras will also be acquired for aerial surveillance along the border.
The second phase of the project comprises nine sections. The first begins south of the municipality of Dajabón and ends in the community of Vara de Vaca; it is 23.45 kilometers long. The second begins in El Corozo and ends near the bridge over the Libón River, in the province of Dajabón, with a length of 25.37 kilometers, and the third will be 28.53 kilometers long, starting in Pedro Santana and ending in Guaroa, in the province of Elías Piña.
The fourth section covers 14.53 kilometers, starting in Rinconcito and ending in Carrizal, Elías Piña province; the fifth section begins three kilometers south of Carrizal and ends near Las Lagunas, Elías Piña province, and will be 3.1 kilometers long. The sixth section is 6.31 kilometers long and begins near Las Lagunas and ends in Calimete, Elías Piña.
The seventh section begins north of Cañada Miguel and ends in Aniceto Martínez, Elías Piña province, covering 3.5 kilometers. The eighth section will cover 2.1 kilometers in Sabana Real, Independencia province; and the ninth section runs from Lake Azuey northwest for 2.9 kilometers, also in Independencia province.
First phase
The first phase of the smart perimeter fence was launched on February 20th by President Luis Abinader and is scheduled for completion in February 2023. It consists of 19 surveillance and control towers, 10 access gates for patrols, and 54 kilometers of roads for surveillance and maintenance on both sides.
At the start of the work, the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa, ERD, described the project as "the most significant in terms of security on the entire border" and said that it "was ordered under Presidential Decree 276-21, which declared the construction of the smart fence in the border area an emergency, and is also protected under Article 10 of our Constitution.".
The fence will extend for 164 kilometers, out of a total of 391.6 kilometers that make up the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which includes approximately 172 kilometers of waterways (rivers, lakes, and streams) and rugged terrain ranging from sea level to 2,000 meters above sea level. This infrastructure and its specialized equipment will be installed at all border crossings: Montecristi, Dajabón, Elías Piña, Pedernales, and Independencia.
Source: El Día
