SANTO DOMINGO.– The Commission for the Supervision of Public Infrastructure in the Face of Climate Change has evaluated more than 250 bridges in different regions of the country since it began its work, reported geological engineer Osiris de León, who presides over the commission.
The specialist explained that the survey includes large, medium, and small structures, as well as collapsed and deteriorated bridges, and others that remain in good condition. He specified that “since we began the work, we have already inspected some 250 bridges, including large, medium, and small bridges, and bridges that have collapsed, those in advanced external disrepair, and those that have been found to be in good condition.”.
He also noted that the Dominican Republic has approximately 1,600 bridges, making the evaluation process an ongoing effort. “We have been gradually addressing the main problems with the bridges on the country’s major highways,” he said.
He also indicated that the most critical cases were referred to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) and the Office of the President for intervention. Among these, he mentioned the Don Juan and the Antonio Guzmán Avenue Bridge in La Vega . “All of that was referred to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications and to the President of the Republic for intervention and resolution,” he explained.
Among the assessments carried out, the geologist highlighted the case of the 17th Street Bridge in Santo Domingo East, an old structure with accumulated deterioration. He explained that the commission made several visits and submitted formal recommendations to the authorities. “The commission made several visits, conducted assessments, and submitted the results and recommendations to the Office of the President and the Ministry of Public Works.”
He also noted that the Ministry of Public Works contracted a company to inventory, piece by piece, the components that need to be replaced. The increase in traffic in Santo Domingo East also prompted the recommendation to build a new bridge parallel to the existing one.
In San Cristóbal, the commission recommended the closure of the Los Cacaos , where a support pier had previously collapsed. They explained, “We recommended its closure and the construction of a new bridge, and the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company is practically finishing the new bridge.”
Meanwhile, in Santiago, it was suggested that the Hermanos Patiño , the oldest in the city, be repaired due to parts with high levels of oxidation and corrosion. “It’s a metal bridge, a suspension bridge, and some parts have shown high levels of oxidation and corrosion.”
Highways
Similarly, Osiris de León reported that, on the Coral Highway, which connects to Bávaro and Punta Cana, adjustments were proposed in drainage, protection of footings and piles, and reinforcement of side walls, with the aim of preventing future damage.
Communities
The technical team also responds to reports from communities alerting them to damage to bridges in their localities. Regarding this response mechanism, the specialist explained: “Every time a community reports damage, we send a technical team, conduct a thorough technical evaluation, and prepare a report that is shared with the Office of the President and the Ministry of Public Works.”.
