The operations include the clearing and demolition of commercial structures along different sections of the highway, after exhausting all legal notification procedures
SANTO DOMINGO. – The Ministry of Public Works, through the Military and Police Commission (COMIPOL) and the Road Safety Support Commission (CODEVIAL), has begun operations to dismantle and demolish commercial establishments and other structures that illegally occupy the right-of-way at various points along the Duarte Highway.
According to the institution, the interventions are carried out in compliance with Law No. 1474-34 on Public Roads, after the authorities exhausted the notification procedures through bailiff acts and granted deadlines for the owners to voluntarily release the occupied spaces.
Among the establishments raided are Plaza One, located at kilometer 17 of Los Alcarrizos; Plaza Yanzi, in Villa Altagracia; Plaza Turey, in San José del Puerto, and Plaza del Chivo, in Sabana del Puerto, both locations in the province of Monseñor Nouel.
The measures were taken after agreements were breached
In the case of Plaza One, the authorities explained that they had previously given its owners an opportunity for dialogue and suspended legal action under the commitment that they would carry out a partial and voluntary dismantling to free up the public space.
However, according to CODEVIAL, during the recent long weekend, construction personnel entered the establishment to carry out structural improvements without authorization, which would have represented a breach of the agreement.
Faced with this situation, the institution resumed operations and proceeded with the dismantling of the structures that occupied the right-of-way.
The operations are part of a road management plan
CODEVIAL indicated that the actions do not constitute an isolated measure, but are part of a plan to organize and recover public spaces along the Duarte Highway.
The institution maintained that the right-of-way constitutes a necessary safety zone to prevent accidents and protect drivers traveling on this road.
"The right-of-way is not an institutional whim; it is the essential safety zone to prevent tragic accidents on the country's busiest highway. We regret when a business is affected, but the law must be rigorously enforced, especially when agreed-upon terms are broken and attempts are made to circumvent the authorities," the agency stated in a press release.
Although the operations are already underway, CODEVIAL did not specify the date of the next interventions nor identify other establishments that could be included in the following days.
Authorities urged merchants and residents of communities near the highway to respect official notices and refrain from building on land designated for public use and safe transit.
Recommended readings:
- The Las Américas Highway will have nighttime closures this Wednesday and Thursday due to the installation of beams
- Government strengthens connection between Cibao and the South with the inauguration of the Nizao-Sabana Larga-Ocoa highway
- Public Works will partially close the 6 de Noviembre Highway due to beam installation in Quita Sueño
