Dominican President Unveils Key Highway Segment, Touting Economic Boost

BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic (AP) — President Luis Abinader on Friday unveiled the final phase of the Avenida Ecológica, a strategic infrastructure project he asserted would significantly enhance the Dominican Republic's national logistics, foreign trade, and overall competitiveness by strengthening connections between the main ports of Greater Santo Domingo.

Abinader emphasized that the new road marks a substantial improvement in the country's logistical capabilities and economic standing. He noted it would facilitate more agile, secure, and efficient movement for commerce, transportation, and daily life, thereby bolstering both exports and imports.

The president described the project as integral to a comprehensive development vision, where road networks are integrated with mass transit, access to potable water, electricity, and public services. These elements, he said, form the fundamental pillars for organized and sustainable growth in Greater Santo Domingo and the nation.

"This is not just about quality of life, but an improvement in logistics and competitiveness," Abinader stated. "We are getting closer for both foreign trade, for exports and imports, and connecting the two main ports of Greater Santo Domingo and the country. That is what development is, and that is what we are building in this government."

Abinader highlighted that the 12-kilometer extension of the Avenida Ecológica, completed during his administration, now provides a seamless, traffic-light-free connection across Greater Santo Domingo. It links vital road corridors and improves access between Santo Domingo Este, Boca Chica, La Caleta, and other key locations, leading to reduced travel times and logistical costs.

These infrastructure investments directly impact national competitiveness by improving port connections and streamlining export and import routes, thereby strengthening foreign trade and productive activity, the president affirmed. He added that modern, efficient infrastructure is crucial for attracting investment and generating opportunities.

He further explained that these roadworks are complemented by significant advancements in potable water, sanitation, mass transit, and power generation. This includes the expansion of the Santo Domingo Metro and Cable Car systems, upgrades to Greater Santo Domingo's aqueducts, and increased energy generation capacity, all contributing to a more functional city with improved services.

Abinader extended gratitude to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, contractors, and local authorities for their efforts. He also urged citizens to maintain and preserve the new infrastructure, respecting public spaces and roadways to ensure long-term sustainability and benefit.

As part of Greater Santo Domingo's integrated infrastructure plan, Abinader detailed other government initiatives. These include expanding the San Isidro highway from two to eight lanes, linking the Avenida Ecológica with the Mella highway and other strategic routes, completing the Santo Domingo beltway, and improving southern and northern access points. Efforts are also underway to modernize Avenida Colombia, aiming to optimize key entry and exit points for the capital.

He also underscored progress in mass transit and essential services, such as the northern expansion of the Santo Domingo Metro, the extension of the Cable Car from Kilometer 9 to Quitasueño in Haina, and the construction of the largest extension of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) outside its main campus. Additional projects include new judicial complexes in Santo Domingo Este and Oeste, substantial improvements to Greater Santo Domingo's aqueducts, and enhanced electrical infrastructure with a projected 400 additional megawatts at Caucedo port. These collective works are designed to boost competitiveness, development, and quality of life.

President Abinader reiterated his government's commitment to advancing projects that elevate the population's quality of life, bolster competitiveness, and solidify a development model founded on improved infrastructure for the well-being and progress of the Dominican Republic.

Strategic Impact of Avenida Ecológica's Connection to Las Américas

Eduardo Estrella, Minister of Public Works and Communications, affirmed that connecting the Avenida Ecológica with the Las Américas highway is a strategic undertaking. He stated it would improve mobility, stimulate economic development, and strengthen Greater Santo Domingo's road planning, aligning with President Abinader's broader development vision.

Estrella elaborated that this final stage of the Avenida Ecológica features a 10-lane toll station and an elevated structure over Avenida Panamericana. This design is expected to alleviate heavy traffic from Caucedo Port and improve circulation towards Las Américas International Airport, as well as to Boca Chica and La Caleta.

The minister highlighted the project's positive impact on tourism, job creation, and road safety. He also noted ongoing efforts to pave surrounding streets and the planned construction of a pedestrian and motorized bridge to ensure safe crossings in the area.

He further indicated that this infrastructure would enable a more agile, traffic-light-free connection between the eastern region and other parts of the country. It forms part of a comprehensive program of roadworks the government is implementing across Greater Santo Domingo and the interior, including nationwide asphalt paving to enhance community quality of life.

Santo Domingo Este Mayor Praises Abinader's Investments

Dio Astacio, Mayor of Santo Domingo Este, credited President Abinader's road investments with transforming mobility and quality of life in the municipality. He specifically pointed to the Avenida Ecológica's role in diverting heavy traffic from urban centers and strengthening national connectivity, alongside the San Isidro Avenue expansion and street paving that has integrated previously isolated areas, solidifying the municipality's strategic national role.

"Santo Domingo Este can truly say that if there is a building father of our city, if there is a president who has believed in our city, that president is Luis Abinader Corona," Astacio declared.

Executed by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), the Avenida Ecológica is now integrated into the national road network, alongside the Santo Domingo beltway and the Samaná highway. This consolidation positions it as one of the country's primary road corridors, bolstering connectivity between the capital, the eastern region, and major production, commercial, and service hubs.

This intervention directly improves the quality of life for over 850,000 people by significantly reducing travel times, alleviating vehicular congestion, and strengthening access to the Multimodal Port of Caucedo, one of the Dominican Republic's key logistical and productive centers.

Bishop Manuel Ruiz of the Stella Maris diocese offered a blessing for the project.

Among the officials present were Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza; Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre; Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs Víctor “Ito” Bisonó; Minister of Public Administration Sigmund Freund; National Drug Control Directorate President Vice Adm. José Manuel Cabrera Ulloa; RD Vial Trust General Director Hostos Rizik; Santo Domingo Province Governor Lucrecia Santana Leyba; Senator Antonio Taveras; Inaipi Director Josefa Castillo; Boca Chica Mayor Ramón Candelaria; and La Caleta District Director Máximo Soriano.