The opening complements the restoration of the affected streets and contributes to improving traffic conditions and the appearance of the area
SANTO DOMINGO.– The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, inaugurated Colón Street and the northern and southern sections of Hostos Street in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, after completing the rehabilitation work carried out under the Priority Streets Rehabilitation Plan, with an investment of RD$61.5 million.
The works are part of an initiative aimed at modernizing urban infrastructure, optimizing pedestrian and vehicular mobility, and preserving the historical and heritage value of this emblematic area of the capital.
During the handover ceremony, the official highlighted that the restoration of these roads represents an important step forward in integrating Santa Barbara with the commercial and tourist environment of the historic center, especially after the removal of the wall that separated both sectors for decades.
Collado expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the work and described the inauguration as a symbolic moment for the residents of Santa Barbara.
“We are here in Santa Bárbara, in the Colonial City, where we are concluding the delivery of several sidewalk, curb, and street paving projects. The truth is, we are extremely excited, extremely excited about what is happening here, and today's ribbon-cutting is symbolic because in the seventies a wall was built that was known here as the wall of shame, and this wall has now been removed,” he said.
In that context, he explained that the structure was built during the government of Joaquín Balaguer, in the 1970s, with the purpose of separating Santa Bárbara from the commercial and tourist area of the Colonial City.
“In the seventies, during Joaquín Balaguer’s government, a wall was built to separate Santa Bárbara from the commercial and tourist part of the Colonial City, and today we are here doing the complete opposite, showing integration through the paving of the streets, integration, because we have a vision of integrating the community within the historic center into tourism,” he stated.
Inclusive tourism and community participation
Collado also stressed that the growth of the tourism industry must generate benefits for the inhabitants of the communities where the investments are developed, considering that their participation is essential to guarantee the sustainability of the sector.
David Collado, Minister of Tourism (center), led the handover of the roads. (External source).
“We cannot marginalize our people if tourism is to be sustainable over time; there has to be integration, and the Dominican Republic’s strength, tourism-wise, lies in its people. In all the surveys we conduct with tourists visiting the Dominican Republic, it turns out that one of the most important strengths, almost as important as our beaches, is the people—their smiles, their friendliness. That is why today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony is historic, marking the end of the wall of shame between the historic center of the Colonial City and Santa Bárbara,” he stated.
In this way, the Minister of Tourism reaffirmed his commitment to a development model that combines the conservation of historical heritage with economic activity and the well-being of those who reside in the surrounding area.
Colón Street: new paving and stormwater drainage improvements
Regarding the work carried out, the intervention on Colón Street covered the section between Vicente Celestino Duarte and the Fuerte del Ángulo.
Among the main improvements is the installation of red and dark gray cobblestones on the section from Vicente Celestino Duarte to General Cabral. From General Cabral to Fuerte del Ángulo, asphalt paving and sidewalks with gray concrete slabs were installed.
These works included the rehabilitation of the storm drain system, the restoration of storm drains, and the installation of gutters for water collection. In addition, benches, spherical and trapezoidal bollards, as well as vertical and horizontal signage, were added.
The project also included landscaping, tree planting and the installation of planters, with the aim of improving the appearance and functionality of the public space.
Hostos South: Drainage and Sidewalk Renovation
Meanwhile, on Hostos Sur street, between Padre Billini and José Gabriel García, the pavements were renewed by placing red concrete slabs and black cobblestones, along with asphalt in the section between Arzobispo Portes and José Gabriel García.
Similarly, this phase included the incorporation of street furniture and provisions for medium and low voltage electrical networks, as well as communication systems.
In terms of infrastructure, the drainage system was remodeled and manholes and connections were built to improve the functioning of basic services along the road.
Hostos North: Sidewalk and public lighting improvements
Meanwhile, on the northern section of Hostos Street, pavement changes and sidewalk improvements were carried out. Between Mercedes and Juan Isidro Pérez, red paving stones were laid on both sides of the road, while on Emiliano Tejera Street, from Juan Isidro Pérez to Arzobispo Meriño, ceramic bricks were installed.
Additionally, conduits and registers for public lighting were enabled, spherical metal bollards were installed and the metal railings were painted, as part of the general conditioning of the urban environment.
These actions complement the restoration of the streets that have been repaired and contribute to improving traffic conditions and the appearance of the area.
Outstanding works will be completed in December
On the other hand, Collado reiterated that the final stage of the program is scheduled for December. By that date, it is expected that the remaining projects will be completed and that no streets will remain closed due to the interventions corresponding to the second stage of the program financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
In addition, the minister highlighted the investments made by the Ministry of Tourism in the restoration of monuments, churches and museums, as well as in the repair of more than one hundred homes and the painting of facades in communities near the historic center.
Together, these initiatives aim to revitalize public spaces, strengthen the preservation of architectural heritage, and improve the quality of life for residents. At the same time, they seek to consolidate a more inclusive tourism offering, in which the development of the Colonial City is linked to the social and economic integration of its communities.
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- Abinader and Collado inaugurate works worth more than RD$188 million in the Colonial City
