In his address, the president announced that, starting January 1, 2022, the cost of that toll will be reduced by 20% from Las Américas to Samaná
SANTO DOMINGO.– Yesterday, December 9, 2021, President Luis Abinader announced to the country that he had ended, through an amicable agreement, the abusive concession contract for the Samaná Highway, known as the “shadow toll,” which has cost the Dominican State more than RD$26,835 million over the past 13 years.
In a brief address to the nation, broadcast at nine o'clock at night by a network of radio, television and digital platforms, Abinader stated that if the contract had been maintained, the State would have had to pay more than US$1.9 billion for the so-called "shadow toll" during the remaining time of the agreement.
To end the "shadow toll" era, the Dominican government reached an agreement under which it will pay $410 million.
“That amount is approximately what would have to be paid for shadow tolls in the next four years and four months, not counting what the tolls would generate once they have been transferred to the state trust RD Vial,” the president said in a speech broadcast through various media outlets.
The conclusion of the Samaná Highway concession contract will generate savings of approximately US$1.5 billion for the State.
Abinader did not specify when the payment will be made, although he announced a reduction in the toll cost for January of next year.
This contract, which began in 2008 and was supposed to end in the next 17 years, has aroused the displeasure of the population, who understand that it did not benefit the Dominican State.
In his speech on February 27, Abinader referred to the "shadow toll" as something "infamous," which represented a great economic burden for the country, and promised to resort to legal means to "find a solution.".
Shadow toll costs will be reduced
In his address, the president announced that, starting January 1, 2022, the cost of that toll will be reduced by 20% from Las Américas to Samaná
He assured that the decision will represent savings for both the State coffers and the pockets of Dominicans.
