NewsWhore
05-30-2008, 02:10 PM
Minister of Public Works Victor Diaz Rua has announced that the authorities will be opening the new 106km highway to Samana from Km14 in Santo Domingo this Sunday, 1 June. The road cuts driving time from the current four hours to under two hours, a considerable saving with gasoline at around RD$200/gallon. Diaz estimates that drivers will save some RD$1,200 in fuel costs.
There will be a RD$350 toll, nevertheless. The tollbooths are located at Las Americas, Naranjal and Guaraguao. Fees are RD$650 for buses and RD$860 for trucks. He said the company would be constantly maintaining the highway, and that security and an ambulance service will be provided.
The early opening on 1 June responds to public demand. Hundreds of vehicles are already using the road, given the considerable savings for travel. Road construction will continue, nevertheless, as it is far from completed.
Armin Garcia Acuna, president of Autopista del Nordeste, which has the 30-year concession for the road, said that while some paving and signage is missing, most of the principal structures are in place. Construction continues also on the bridge over Rio Yuna, which should be finished by August. The route by way of San Francisco de Macoris from Santo Domingo requires a drive of about 220 kms to get to Samana vs. the 106 kms of the shorter highway.
The Carretera Santo Domingo-Cruce de Molinillos was begun in Feb 2006. As reported in Diario Libre, it was budgeted at US$150 million, including US$30 million contributed by the Dominican government.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)
There will be a RD$350 toll, nevertheless. The tollbooths are located at Las Americas, Naranjal and Guaraguao. Fees are RD$650 for buses and RD$860 for trucks. He said the company would be constantly maintaining the highway, and that security and an ambulance service will be provided.
The early opening on 1 June responds to public demand. Hundreds of vehicles are already using the road, given the considerable savings for travel. Road construction will continue, nevertheless, as it is far from completed.
Armin Garcia Acuna, president of Autopista del Nordeste, which has the 30-year concession for the road, said that while some paving and signage is missing, most of the principal structures are in place. Construction continues also on the bridge over Rio Yuna, which should be finished by August. The route by way of San Francisco de Macoris from Santo Domingo requires a drive of about 220 kms to get to Samana vs. the 106 kms of the shorter highway.
The Carretera Santo Domingo-Cruce de Molinillos was begun in Feb 2006. As reported in Diario Libre, it was budgeted at US$150 million, including US$30 million contributed by the Dominican government.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)