SANTO DOMINGO. – The Juan Bosch, Mella, and floating bridges are the alternative routes available this weekend for vehicles traveling to and from Santo Domingo East, due to the total closure of the Duarte Bridge for repairs to its joints.
A statement from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) establishes the alternate routes for drivers traveling from Santo Domingo East to the National District and vice versa, due to the total closure of the Juan Pablo Duarte bridge from 9:00 pm last Friday, until the early morning of next Monday the 20th.
Drivers have several options for crossing the Ozama River: the Juan Bosch Bridge, which runs parallel to the Duarte Bridge and will operate in both directions, as well as the floating bridge and the Mella Bridge (known as the Bicycle Bridge). According to a map shared by the Ministry of Public Works on social media, the Mella Bridge will only allow traffic in one direction (west to east), from the capital towards Santo Domingo East.
Meanwhile, traffic will continue as usual in both directions on the floating bridge.
The MOPC statement maintains that the closure will be carried out to repair the joints that have presented adhesion problems and will be repaired by the contracting company Proyectos Industriales (PINSA).
Through a communication addressed to the MOPC, via the Vice Minister of Road Maintenance, Mélito Santana Rincón, the contracting firm requested the complete closure of the Duarte during the time indicated above, and states that this “is a necessary condition to be able to guarantee the curing.”.
Last year, new expansion joints were installed on the bridge to correct the pronounced deterioration of the previous ones, which had not been removed for several years, causing disruptions to vehicular traffic and damage to vehicles.
The Duarte Bridge is a 68-year-old structure. It was put into service in 1955. The investment in the most recent renovations was around 60 million pesos.
The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) apologized to the public, especially those who regularly use that structure, for the inconvenience caused. However, it maintains that the closure is intended to address the identified problems.
