The Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Estrella, said it was designed to move 2,500 vehicles per hour
SANTO DOMINGO– President Luis Abinader inaugurated the Plaza de la Bandera tunnel and the complete renovation of this emblematic public space yesterday, Sunday. The project, which cost 3.3 billion pesos, is designed to improve mobility in Greater Santo Domingo, expedite travel to the South region, and consolidate a road corridor that will boost the economic and social development of that area of the country.
During the event, where the president was accompanied by the first lady, Raquel Arbaje, he stated that the infrastructure represents one of the most important projects carried out by his administration in terms of urban mobility, considering that it will significantly reduce travel times, decongest one of the points with the highest traffic flow in the capital, and offer safer and more efficient circulation for thousands of drivers who use this corridor daily.
Abinader stated that these types of projects reflect the vision of a government focused on solving the everyday problems of the population, noting that governing also means respecting citizens' time and developing projects that improve their quality of life.
More than a kilometer
Luis Abinader explained that the new road system has a length of 1.2 kilometers with four lanes and allows for underground passage under the Plaza de la Bandera, to give continuity to the Gregorio Luperón avenue and eliminate one of the main traffic bottlenecks on the way out to the southern provinces.
He indicated that the project required an investment of RD$3.3 billion and highlighted that it was made possible thanks to the resources obtained after the renegotiation of the concession contract with Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), a decision he described as a demonstration of responsible management of public resources.
The president maintained that the benefits of this renegotiation are beginning to materialize in high-impact projects for the population, by converting extraordinary resources into infrastructure that improves the country's competitiveness, strengthens road safety, and generates well-being for thousands of families.
During his speech, he recalled that the Plaza de la Bandera roundabout used to handle more than 2,500 vehicles per hour during peak demand periods, a situation that caused long traffic jams and wasted time for those who traveled daily between the National District, Santo Domingo Oeste and the southern provinces.
He stated that the tunnel's inauguration is just one part of a comprehensive plan to modernize the country's road infrastructure and strengthen connectivity with the southern region, an area that, he said, has waited decades for investments of this magnitude to fully develop its economic potential.
In that regard, he cited as part of that strategy the Pintura overpass, the Baní and Azua bypasses, the progress of the Santo Domingo cable car towards Haina and its connection with the Los Alcarrizos Metro, in addition to the improvements on the roads that connect San Cristóbal, Peravia, Azua, Barahona and Pedernales.
The president noted that these projects form a development axis that will bring opportunities closer, facilitate trade, boost tourism, improve the transport of goods, and strengthen integration between the capital and the entire southern region.
He also emphasized that the project respected the historical and symbolic value of Plaza de la Bandera, considered one of the most representative spaces of national identity. He explained that the project was designed to modernize the road infrastructure without affecting the historical heritage, integrating urban development and conservation.
The president stated that the Plaza de la Bandera was not only restored, but strengthened as a public space for the enjoyment of the citizens, maintaining its historical significance intact while beneath it circulates an infrastructure designed to respond to the needs of urban growth.
"The future will circulate beneath this plaza; our history remains above it," the president said, defining the meaning of the project, which he described as a combination of progress, mobility, national identity, and a vision for the future.
The project covers a distance of 1.2 kilometers. (External source).
Finally, the president reiterated that the sustained growth experienced by the Dominican Republic requires continued investment in modern, efficient, and safe infrastructure that supports the country's economic development and improves the population's quality of life.
At the end of his speech, he urged citizens to embrace this new space and reaffirmed his government's commitment to continue promoting projects that connect all regions of the national territory, generate opportunities, and strengthen development from Santo Domingo to the southern tip of the country.
Finally, the president reiterated that the sustained growth experienced by the Dominican Republic requires continued investment in modern, efficient, and safe infrastructure that supports the country's economic development and improves the population's quality of life.
At the end of his speech, he urged citizens to embrace this new space and reaffirmed his government's commitment to continue promoting projects that connect all regions of the national territory, generate opportunities, and strengthen development from Santo Domingo to the southern tip of the country.
It will benefit approximately 300,000 people
The Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Estrella, said that this tunnel is 1.2 kilometers long and was designed to move 2,500 vehicles per hour.
He also stated that the project is part of the second stage of the road solution for the area and will benefit approximately 300,000 people.
The work began in February 2025 and, according to the minister, was completed in approximately a year and a half, a period he described as a record for an infrastructure of that magnitude.
He stated that in terms of safety, the tunnel has ventilation and gas extraction systems, fire-fighting equipment, emergency power plants, monitoring connected to the 911 System, and a control room for the operation of the infrastructure.
Among those present were former President Hipólito Mejía; the President of the Senate, Ricardo de los Santos; the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco; the Administrative Minister of the Presidency, Andrés Bautista; the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre; and the Mayor of the municipality of Santo Domingo Oeste, Francisco Peña, among other personalities.
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