SANTO DOMINGO. – The Ministry of Public Works and Communications ( MOPC ) has launched an international public tender to contract the design, construction, assembly and commissioning of the Santo Domingo bascule bridge, an infrastructure project intended to replace the deteriorated floating bridge over the Ozama River and improve the connection between the eastern and western areas of Greater Santo Domingo.
The process is listed as published , formally marking the start of the contracting procedure. The project has a base budget of RD$4.5 billion , an amount that will serve as a reference for evaluating the financial bids of interested companies.
According to the official schedule, the submission of technical and economic bids is scheduled for March 10, 2026, following a prior schedule of clarifications and evaluations.
A bridge to relieve traffic pressure
The initiative arises in a context of growing road traffic demand. Currently, the bridges connecting both areas of Greater Santo Domingo handle approximately 410,000 vehicles daily , with a peak volume of around 37,000 vehicles per hour.
This pressure has led to insufficient capacity, resulting in a congestion index of 1.2, which translates into forced and unstable traffic flow. The main objective of the new bridge is to improve passenger and transport mobility between both sides of the capital, replacing a barge that has suffered significant structural deterioration and a reduced load capacity, posing risks to users.
The project will have an estimated execution time of two years, including the testing stage , a period that will become contractual for the successful bidder provided it complies with what is proposed by the MOPC.
Check the technical requirements here:
Why replace the floating bridge?
The urban growth of Santo Domingo East—driven by land availability and population increase—projects further travel delays if a new connection over the Ozama River . Furthermore, the current structure faces numerous operational weaknesses, ranging from unused lanes to lighting and access problems that require improvements.
Given this situation, the authorities have designed a bascule bridge located approximately 80 meters south of the existing one, with a lifespan exceeding 100 years and greater traffic capacity. The design will also allow for river traffic and will integrate seamlessly into the Colonial Zone, providing safety, efficiency, and a potential tourist attraction for this area of the city.
Companies with commercial activities related to structural components, construction and civil works , preferably within the field of steel bridges, according to the technical specifications.
Project scope and process rules
The contract covers everything from preliminary studies to detailed engineering, construction, and electromechanical systems for the bridge, as well as road improvements, resurfacing of approximately 32,000 square meters of the surrounding area, and technical maintenance for three years. The schedule stipulates that, following the evaluation of bids, the process will proceed to the awarding of the contract, notification of the winning bidder, and the subsequent signing and publication of the contract, scheduled for May 2026.
In financial terms, the file shows an approved budget appropriation certificate for RD$450 million , although the payment schedule does not yet reflect any specific disbursements. The tender documents also establish strict parameters for bids: those that exceed or fall short of the base budget by more than 10% may be disqualified as economically unfeasible.
Furthermore, the contract outlines consequences for non-compliance. These include warnings, enforcement of guarantees, penalties for delay, unilateral termination, and even disqualification of the supplier, depending on the severity of the breach. Examples of non-compliance include delays exceeding 30 days in service delivery, technical quality issues, or the delivery of fewer units than contracted.
The project is part of a broader strategy to modernize the road infrastructure of Greater Santo Domingo, at a time when urban mobility has become one of the main challenges for competitiveness and quality of life in the capital.
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