Current road. Photo ranchoarribanoticiasblospot.
Picture 1 of 2
SANTO DOMINGO.- Public Works minister Victor Diaz Rúa affirmed Monday that the cost to rebuild the span Piedra Blanca-Ocoa, called Cibao-Sur, is estimated at US$200 million, a project already in a process of a call for tenders.
Diaz said the figure isn’t definitive because engineering details in the highway’s construction could vary.
Though he acknowledge the controversy arising from the ambitious South-North road link project across the Central Mountains, he called it of the "utmost importance" because it would be the first Cibao-South route and solve the problem of access to Ocoa province, which produces around 30% of the country’s vegetables.
He revealed that the call for tenders has already concluded, and in the next few days will announce the winning company, which could be Odebrecht-Risek, Venezolana de Inversiones, Construcciones Clerico, or Queiroz-Galvao-Proyectos S.A.
The official discarded the challenges to the project filed by the Dominican Anticorruption Alliance (Adocco), and affirmed that the process has been transparent.
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
worth every cent and much more on top ,,what a wonderful vista will be had from every hill top ,,apart from being economic common sense,,,although I am not keen on being infront of those vegetable trucks
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
Very bad time to start a project of that magnitude.
Financed with more loans we don't need, with the likely possibility a PRD government might scrap tjhe project as per Dominican political culture, so what,s the point?
Oh yes, the secret commissions..that are due up front.
Written by: telemeco, 24 Jan 2012 9:56 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Monte Plata
For a minute there i thought i was a road been build from Santiago to San Juan,,,what about the national park i ask myself, but this one i quite ok,,,
Written by: Atabey, 24 Jan 2012 10:08 AM
From: United States, NYC
"it would be the first Cibao-South route and solve the problem of access to Ocoa province, which produces around 30% of the country’s vegetables."
This will give a great boost to the regions agricultural output. Exports might boom with this development.
Walter, I think this project might pay for itself via greater agricultural exports. Having clear and modern access to ports might encourage greater investments in the region thus boosting future prospects in the region.
Written by: RoyStone, 24 Jan 2012 10:38 AM
From: Australia
Ricky, there are some wonderful views from the new road around the Samana Peninsula too, but unfortunately nowhere to safely park and enjoy. I would like to see parking and picnic facilities, with rubbish bins included, if tourism is to be a consideration. Also if there are tolls, then unlike as elsewhere, motorbikes should not be exempt.
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
Atabey, I'd agree 100% if things were always done by the book.
Unfortunately, all the politikeros know about books is how to cook them to make their frauds look legit.
Written by: Atabey, 24 Jan 2012 12:21 PM
From: United States, NYC
Walter,
We are in the mist of a strong period of infrastructure development in our nation and while it has some corruption we should recognize that many other nations that have undergone similar periods have experienced similar corrupt practices. This is NOT to justify corruption in DR, just to put it into prospective. If this route is built, it will improve the chances that this important agricultural region is finally connected via a modern road to the ports of our nation.
Developing a modern transportation system for the nation is another condicio sine qua non-ALONG with K-12 Education-in its drive towards modernization.
And yes, sadly there will be some corruption in the process. But we shouldn't lose sight of the goal: better and more efficient transport of goods and services to and from the region. A vast improvement awaits for the region, if this project is finished.
From: United States
Before they spend a dime they should insure the North South roads from the capitol to Puerta Plata are safe. That means replace all the guard rails and actually have law enforcement do their job. Last time I had a semi truck so close I could not see anything but his grill then have a Mercedes SUV try to run me off the road because I took to long to get over. How many times have I seen the vegetable trucks blow through read lights in Santiago at 45 mph so they could keep together. No enforcement of any traffic laws resulted in double the deaths last year. They can't catch criminals and the don't enforce the laws so what do they actually do ? Spend the money on getting control of the drivers then think about a new road using Dominican companies
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... ((You're blind to the fact that you're blind))
Tele,
When my grandfather worked for Balaguer , he was telling us a story how they started a road to cross over to san juan de la maguana from la matas but the machinery were to primitive to make that journey and had to abort because of the rock walls and steep incline. Now, its easier to accomplish with satellite mapping. It would cut the trip a least 7hrs
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
Walter Polo ,,,this road is overdue and a start is a grteat idea and with a watertight contract that makes it more expensive to stop it than continue it if there is any change of government ,, but why was this project not started years ago .. the vegetable highway is on my list of priorities ..with or without guard rails
Written by: xwill7, 24 Jan 2012 1:30 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
roy,
Would you be the first one on a motorcycle going off road to avoid the tolls?
Written by: xwill7, 24 Jan 2012 1:31 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
The road in this pic is in great shape. I have seen worst.
Written by: RoyStone, 24 Jan 2012 1:55 PM
From: Australia
xwill7,
I love roads with tolls if they keep away the riff-raff. I believe in user pays - that is, all users. The only alternative is non-user pays, or someone is paying too much.
From: Dominican Republic
affirmed that the process has been transparent... transparent like milk.... or transparent to whom.. the ones biding not the public, not the people who will end paying for the millions is extra cost and inflated prices...
From: Canada
Just build and get on with it ... it is not like this is the only road to build, there are many good projects to follow, open the roads and you open up trade ...
Written by: xwill7, 24 Jan 2012 3:28 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
tolls will not keep anyone away lol
From: United States
That road needs rebuilt. Broken to pieces in parts. It is a very beautiful view south of Ocoa, though.
Written by: RoyStone, 25 Jan 2012 7:19 AM
From: Australia
xwill7, delcares
"tolls will not keep anyone away lol"
Have you never been to the Dominican Republic?
Do you not know any Dominicans?
We are talking about "tolls" - not "trolls"
Written by: Atabey, 25 Jan 2012 8:48 AM
From: United States, NYC
User fees or tolls are the way to go. You can also advance MORE infrastructure development by granting exclusive fee rights, say for 20 years, to companies willing to build projects in DR. After this period, the nations gets to have a decent project for it to continue to use, and maintain using the same user fee structure. Win- Win
Written by: RoyStone, 25 Jan 2012 9:56 AM
From: Australia
Agreed, Atabey, but they need to get away from using inefficient, manned, toll-booths and install electronic transponder billing systems instead.
(Dare I say, as they have in Australia?)
Written by: xwill7, 25 Jan 2012 11:46 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Say no to tolls... Its just another spot where people are looking for propina...
From: United States, NJ
If the road under construction has no access to sea port it is a waist . From point (A) to point (B).
We have to think ahead ,no matter who builds it as long as it gets done. Furthermore a 2 lane will
not be sufficient for the future growth of a natioin,It has to have at least 4 lanes,and do away with
the steep inclines,no more than 3 degrees elevation for fast delivery. They have the tunnel boaing
machine which they are using to build the METRO ,then use it to cut thru those mountais at the
same time keep the mountains intact and use it to plant and vegetation.Have them build access
dirt roads to the main HW from each community it passes .This wqy all will be benefitted by it.
Build it to last 100 years instead of 4 which is the period it takes for an administration in power.
Gravel,cement and ribars at least 6 inches thick. This will put the cement industry in business.
Written by: RoyStone, 26 Jan 2012 3:44 PM
From: Australia
All good practical suggestions, Thelmo, but one thing lacking.
These things will cost much more. Where does the money come from?
Yes, xwill7, toll-free is fine, but them who pays for it?
From: United States, NJ
Roy ;
As i said before shut down the military institution and keep only professional officers in case
HAITI acts up again. All the gvts in LA are afraid of those 2 legged gorillas. They have created a
Maffia instead of a national defence.
From: United States, NJ
Roy:
Also the same place they get the money for that METRO they could appolied for an extended loan
As some one stated before .It will be paid for itself in no time by putting tlls booth where money
will not be ,but EZ passes to avoid the crooks and speed up traffic.
Written by: Atabey, 26 Jan 2012 5:27 PM
From: United States, NYC
Written by: RoyStone, 25 Jan 2012 9:56 AM
From: Australia
Agreed, Atabey, but they need to get away from using inefficient, manned, toll-booths and install electronic transponder billing systems instead.
(Dare I say, as they have in Australia?)
Written by: xwill7, 25 Jan 2012 11:46 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Say no to tolls... Its just another spot where people are looking for propina..."
X-man,
Electronic system used to pay bill. Some guardias to patrol the place and less hassles all around.
If private companies built these roads, then they would monitor and maintain the places. This would greatly increase investment flows into worthwhile projects.
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Financed with more loans we don't need, with the likely possibility a PRD government might scrap tjhe project as per Dominican political culture, so what,s the point?
Oh yes, the secret commissions..that are due up front.
This will give a great boost to the regions agricultural output. Exports might boom with this development.
Walter, I think this project might pay for itself via greater agricultural exports. Having clear and modern access to ports might encourage greater investments in the region thus boosting future prospects in the region.
Unfortunately, all the politikeros know about books is how to cook them to make their frauds look legit.
We are in the mist of a strong period of infrastructure development in our nation and while it has some corruption we should recognize that many other nations that have undergone similar periods have experienced similar corrupt practices. This is NOT to justify corruption in DR, just to put it into prospective. If this route is built, it will improve the chances that this important agricultural region is finally connected via a modern road to the ports of our nation.
Developing a modern transportation system for the nation is another condicio sine qua non-ALONG with K-12 Education-in its drive towards modernization.
And yes, sadly there will be some corruption in the process. But we shouldn't lose sight of the goal: better and more efficient transport of goods and services to and from the region. A vast improvement awaits for the region, if this project is finished.
When my grandfather worked for Balaguer , he was telling us a story how they started a road to cross over to san juan de la maguana from la matas but the machinery were to primitive to make that journey and had to abort because of the rock walls and steep incline. Now, its easier to accomplish with satellite mapping. It would cut the trip a least 7hrs
Would you be the first one on a motorcycle going off road to avoid the tolls?
I love roads with tolls if they keep away the riff-raff. I believe in user pays - that is, all users. The only alternative is non-user pays, or someone is paying too much.
affirmed that the process has been transparent... transparent like milk.... or transparent to whom.. the ones biding not the public, not the people who will end paying for the millions is extra cost and inflated prices...
"tolls will not keep anyone away lol"
Have you never been to the Dominican Republic?
Do you not know any Dominicans?
We are talking about "tolls" - not "trolls"
(Dare I say, as they have in Australia?)
We have to think ahead ,no matter who builds it as long as it gets done. Furthermore a 2 lane will
not be sufficient for the future growth of a natioin,It has to have at least 4 lanes,and do away with
the steep inclines,no more than 3 degrees elevation for fast delivery. They have the tunnel boaing
machine which they are using to build the METRO ,then use it to cut thru those mountais at the
same time keep the mountains intact and use it to plant and vegetation.Have them build access
dirt roads to the main HW from each community it passes .This wqy all will be benefitted by it.
Build it to last 100 years instead of 4 which is the period it takes for an administration in power.
Gravel,cement and ribars at least 6 inches thick. This will put the cement industry in business.
These things will cost much more. Where does the money come from?
Yes, xwill7, toll-free is fine, but them who pays for it?
As i said before shut down the military institution and keep only professional officers in case
HAITI acts up again. All the gvts in LA are afraid of those 2 legged gorillas. They have created a
Maffia instead of a national defence.
Also the same place they get the money for that METRO they could appolied for an extended loan
As some one stated before .It will be paid for itself in no time by putting tlls booth where money
will not be ,but EZ passes to avoid the crooks and speed up traffic.
From: Australia
Agreed, Atabey, but they need to get away from using inefficient, manned, toll-booths and install electronic transponder billing systems instead.
(Dare I say, as they have in Australia?)
Written by: xwill7, 25 Jan 2012 11:46 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Say no to tolls... Its just another spot where people are looking for propina..."
X-man,
Electronic system used to pay bill. Some guardias to patrol the place and less hassles all around.
If private companies built these roads, then they would monitor and maintain the places. This would greatly increase investment flows into worthwhile projects.