Toll plaza to prevent accidents

[NewsWhore]

The toll plaza located near the Moca crossroads at La Penda, on the Duarte Highway in La Vega, has been paved, and the southbound lanes opened to traffic. No tolls are currently being taken. According to Diario Libre, the Ministry of Public Works said that the idea is to prevent accidents in the area that have taken seven lives over the last two years. Most of these accidents have resulted from a lack of proper markings, inadequate lighting and the New Jersey Barriers that mark the detour that was put into place as construction started. There were few warning signs of the approaching detour. Now, the detour is clearly marked, but only after seven people were killed in accidents. At the site, a military officer who refused to be identified told Diario Libre reporter Cornelio Batista that some of the accidents occurred due to serious violations of the traffic laws. Now drivers can cross the toll plaza in either direction by going through the booths, without paying, somewhat similar to the toll plaza near Santo Domingo. The toll plaza was built at a cost of RD$200 million but has never been put to use. According to sources at the Public Works Ministry, the government will begin charging tolls when the economy picks up. However, transport unions in Santiago, Moca and La Vega have rejected the idea.

More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)