SANTO DOMINGO – The Las Américas toll plaza has not undergone any maintenance since 1998. Following an evaluation process, its executives announced the start of a renovation project to improve its facilities.
The general manager of RD Vial, Hostos Rizik, announced the start of a renovation process at the toll booth on the Las Américas highway, as part of a comprehensive plan that includes its total remodeling.
This infrastructure has not received significant interventions since 1998.
Actions already underway include minor improvements such as the installation of signage to regulate speed limits on both toll roads and free passage roads.
Rizik Lugo explained that options for a definitive expansion of the toll are still being evaluated, but that in the meantime measures are being taken to improve safety and operation.
The announcement comes after multiple complaints about the critical conditions of the toll plaza, especially the walls of the return lanes towards Santo Domingo and the narrowness of the lanes coming from the East, which represent a risk for drivers and passengers.
He assured that the bottlenecks in the Santo Domingo-East direction have been practically eliminated with the complete renewal of the antenna system of the Paso Rápido.
“There are no more traffic jams. We replaced all the antennas. If you use your Paso Rápido, you won't have any problems getting around,” the official stated.
In addition to basic maintenance, such as painting and signage, while the design of the final remodeling project progresses.
The head of RD Vial reminded everyone that traffic law establishes a speed limit of 10 km/h on toll roads and 40 km/h on free roads. However, he admitted that these rules are not generally respected, which has contributed to incidents, especially on return lanes.
Regarding the concrete walls located to the left of the tollbooth exit, he explained that they were placed to protect the staff transporting cash to the administrative offices, but acknowledged that they will need to be relocated or redesigned to ensure both safety and the flow of traffic.
As part of the additional measures, Rizik Lugo announced the installation of vibrating lines —lighted signage that warns drivers about the need to reduce speed— and the reinforcement of the presence of DIGESETT agents in the area.
He reported that an inspection of the tollbooth was recently carried out together with authorities from INTRANT and DIGESETT.
During the visit, immediate actions were agreed upon and the possibility of relocating the administrative office as part of the project to expand the entire structure was discussed.
Photo: External source.
