SANTO DOMINGO. -The Santiago de los Caballeros Monorail and the extension of the Santo Domingo Metro to Los Alcarrizos, among other infrastructure projects announced by President Luis Abinader, are priority projects within the General Budget for next year, presented yesterday by the Dominican Government with a figure of one trillion three hundred seventy-one billion pesos.
“The budget anticipates a deficit of 3.1% and incorporates President Abinader’s priorities… important infrastructure projects such as the Santiago Monorail, the extension of the Metro, and the various subsidies and funding for the social programs we have been implementing,” stated Finance Minister José Manuel (Jochi) Vicente, following a cabinet meeting at the National Palace, chaired by Vice President Raquel Peña.
The Dominican government reported that the 2024 general budget project that they will submit to the National Congress will be around one trillion three hundred seventy-one billion pesos, which represents an increase of RD$1,308,634.3 million, in relation to that of 2023.
The official explained that the Santiago Monorail has an allocated budget of RD$20 billion for 2024. It is worth noting that last July, it was announced that factory validation tests had begun by Alstom Canada.
The Santiago Monorail will have the capacity to transport approximately 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction (40,000 total). This mode of transport aims to directly impact more than 500,000 people, reducing transportation costs by 30%, alleviating congestion, increasing productivity, and decreasing environmental impact. The goal is for it to be operational by the end of 2024.
Vicente indicated that the completion of the Metro extension to Los Alcarrizos will have a budget allocation of RD$11 billion. At the end of July, it was reported that the companies contracted for the construction of the stations were beginning to accelerate work with the aim of inaugurating the project in the first quarter of next year.
At that time, according to reports from the Office for the Reorganization of Transportation (OPRET), the expropriations for the Line 2C extension were 98% complete. Likewise, the 900-meter tunnel that would allow for the underground movement of the train cars was 423 meters under construction, and 78% of the piles had been poured.
Budget
"This project estimates a five percent growth in the Dominican economy and a four percent inflation rate, taking into account a margin of error of plus or minus one percent. This budget is a combination of economic growth, the development of important projects, including the four percent allocated to education, social programs, and a combination that aims to maintain the economic stability of the Dominican Republic," explained the Minister of the Presidency, Joel Santos.
The meeting, which took place in the Council of Ministers Hall, was attended by various officials, as well as the President of the Senate of the Republic, Ricardo de los Santos.
According to current laws, the 2024 budget must be submitted to the Legislative Branch no later than October 1st.
More about the monorail
It will travel on a reinforced concrete rail structure, on a viaduct that will cross the entire city from Cienfuegos to Beijing on a 15-kilometer route, with 16 stations and a central terminal for integration with the cable car, impacting the most populated sectors and the main workplaces of the city.
The system will have a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour, with one train every 90 seconds during peak hours, with a capacity for 580 passengers per train, distributed in 4 cars of 145 passengers each.
The central terminal will house public services from the Central Electoral Board, driver's license, General Directorate of Internal Taxes, Santiago Water and Sewerage Corporation, Edenorte, city hall services, a professional building and more than 5,000 square meters in 33 commercial premises that will provide additional income to the SIT.
The French corporation Alstom was selected to build the project. The company said in a statement that it will deliver 13 four-car Innovia Monorail 300 automated trains, which incorporate the design and operational features necessary for a high-capacity urban transport system.
