Amber Highway to reduce Santiago–Puerto Plata travel time to 30 minutes

Santo Domingo.- Former Dominican College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors (CODIA) president Teodoro Tejada said the planned Amber Highway will significantly reduce travel times between Santiago and Puerto Plata, improve road safety, and strengthen economic development in the country’s northern region.

Tejada noted that the current trip between the two cities takes about 90 minutes and is known for its high rate of fatal traffic accidents. Once completed, the new highway is expected to cut travel time to around 30 minutes.

The RD$28.8 billion project will span approximately 32.7 kilometers, connecting Santiago’s North Ring Road with Gran Parada in Puerto Plata. The four-lane highway is designed for speeds of up to 100 km/h and will include two tunnels through the Northern Mountain Range to help preserve surrounding ecosystems.

According to Tejada, the project will also feature grade-separated interchanges to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety, while boosting regional connectivity, tourism, and economic competitiveness.