The Juan Pablo Duarte Bridge, one of the busiest road infrastructures in Greater Santo Domingo, is once again showing signs of deterioration in several of its expansion joints, generating concern among drivers and disrupting traffic. This situation is occurring despite the fact that the government allocated approximately RD$60 million less than four years ago to improve the road surface and other critical areas of the structure.
Visual reports shared on social media and videos from users who travel the road daily show that at least six expansion joints have damaged sections, mainly on the eastern side of the bridge. In some areas, exposed rods and metal are visible, and the rubberized material that was supposed to cushion the impact of traffic has disappeared, causing loud noises every time vehicles cross the area.
Testimonies from drivers reignite concerns
During interviews conducted by El Inmobiliario, some bridge users offered a firsthand look at the current state of the infrastructure, combining perceptions of stability with warnings about specific points of deterioration. Darling Gil commented that, in general, the structure doesn't appear compromised, although he acknowledges visible flaws: “Look, regarding the bridge, I see it as being in good condition; after the last repair they did a year or two ago, some potholes have appeared, especially when you're coming from east to west, like towards Gómez, in front of Olé. There are some very large potholes that have formed, which obviously make vehicles unstable,” he explained.
Samuel Velasco, another driver interviewed, pointed out that the wear and tear seems to be due to constant traffic and the natural behavior of this type of structure. “You know how bridges are built in blocks; sometimes the blocks aren't perfectly aligned or they wear down over time. Imagine those ramps that don't receive the constant maintenance they need, causing them to deteriorate,” he stated. Both testimonies agree on a key point: although the bridge continues to operate, the appearance of potholes and the progressive deterioration of some sections are causing concern among those who use it daily.
A recent repair that failed to stop the failures
the Ministry of Public Works contracted the company Proyectos Industriales (PINSA) to work on the bridge, with the commitment to replace 46 joints, maintain the railings, and carry out a general resurfacing within an estimated two months. However, the work took approximately an additional month and a half.
Even after the initial intervention, three repairs were carried out in less than six months , demonstrating difficulties in sustaining the improvements. The inconveniences for drivers and the extensive traffic jams resulting from the construction led the then Minister of Public Works, Deligne Ascención, to order the contractor in April 2023 to correct the defects at no additional cost to the State
The company attributed some of the delays to the rains that fell during that period. However, although further work was carried out, the problems reappeared with the constant passage of vehicles, particularly in the areas where erosion is now visible.
A recurring problem that impacts mobility and a solution on the way
The resurgence of damage coincides with peak traffic times. The Juan Pablo Duarte Bridge is part of the DR-3 highway, which connects the National District with Santo Domingo East and facilitates traffic to the east of the country. According to official data, the bridges connecting both areas of Greater Santo Domingo carry approximately 410,000 vehicles daily, with a peak volume of around 37,000 vehicles per hour, causing congestion, delays, and continuous strain on the existing infrastructure.
In response to this situation, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) recently launched an international public bidding process for the construction of a new bascule bridge connecting the National District and Santo Domingo East. The goal is to improve access between the two areas and alleviate traffic congestion that currently exceeds the capacity of the Duarte Bridge and other links. The project, with a base budget of RD$4.5 billion, includes the design, construction, assembly, and commissioning of the new bridge, which will be located approximately 80 meters south of the existing floating bridge and has a projected lifespan of over 100 years.
The construction of this project, estimated to take two years including testing, is presented as a response to the growing demand for mobility in Greater Santo Domingo, while also seeking to offer greater safety and efficiency for users who travel daily between the eastern and western parts of the capital.
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