Among the projects aimed at improving the flow of vehicular traffic are the construction of two overpasses where the traffic lights are located in the town of Pedro Brand, and the relocation of the tollbooth from Km 25 to Km 34.
SANTO DOMINGO. – The Duarte Highway expansion project includes increasing the number of lanes on the country's main thoroughfare from 8 to 14, with a projected investment of 11 billion pesos.
“On the very day we were celebrating the 100th anniversary, we began the expansion work from 8 to 14 lanes at Km 9, at the entrance and exit to the capital to and from the northern region. We are working from kilometer 9, and the plan is to reach Montecristi, a distance of more than 270 kilometers,” explained the Minister of Public Works, Deligne Ascención, yesterday.
He explained that the Duarte highway is undergoing the most significant comprehensive intervention it has received since its construction in 1922.
He emphasized that President Luis Abinader has shown interest and has given instructions for the Duarte Highway expansion and remodeling project to have the necessary parameters that will contribute to further reducing traffic accidents on this road.
Ascención stated that the work aims to reduce the number of accidents on the country's most important intercity road, where an average of more than 120,000 vehicles travel daily.
The official stated that the projects aimed at improving traffic flow include the construction of two overpasses at the traffic lights in the town of Pedro Brand, and the relocation of the toll plaza from Km 25 to Km 34.
The work currently being carried out includes a bridge south of the Duarte highway, excavation of the piles for the southeast abutment, and the preparation of the prefabricated platform to begin the construction of the beams.
Ascención stated that the work on the Duarte highway includes interventions to adapt the drainage system, as well as improving the road surface.
As part of the remodeling and expansion work on this highway, the MOPC is carrying out intensive work to recover and condition the drainage system, which aims to prevent flooding on the road, which always contributes to the deterioration of the pavement.
He stated that since the Duarte Highway was widened between 1995 and 1996, during the last administration of President Joaquín Balaguer, “it had never been worked on in this way. That is why we found drainage systems with up to four meters of silting or sediment accumulation.”.
