President Abinader inaugurates new bridge over the Camú River
Puerto Plata. – In record time, President Luis Abinader inaugurated the new bridge over the Camú River this Friday, a project that restores the road connection between Santiago and Puerto Plata and reinstates traffic on the Gregorio Luperón Tourist Highway, a fundamental route for mobility, trade, and productive and tourist activities in the Northern region.
The Minister of Public Works and Communications, Eduardo Estrella, highlighted the Government’s rapid response in restoring the connection following the collapse of the existing bridge on April 12, which had interrupted traffic on one of the main road corridors.
Estrella explained that, at President Abinader’s direction, work began immediately after the incident. She specified that teams were already working in the area by April 18th and noted that this Friday marks five months since the project began.
A strategic connection for the Northern region
The new structure is a direct response to the disruption affecting residents, workers, producers, merchants, and visitors who use this road corridor. With its opening, an essential connection for daily activities, the transport of goods and services, and access to markets and tourist destinations is restored.
Comprehensive intervention of the Camú River
As part of the project, the MOPC also channeled and improved 600 meters of the Camú River, widening its effective width, improving water circulation, and helping reduce the risks associated with future floods.
The new bridge is 112.30 meters long and 11.20 meters wide, with two traffic lanes and two sidewalks. The structure consists of 18 prefabricated post-tensioned concrete beams, up to 45 meters long, and 48 reinforced concrete piles, up to 24 meters deep.
Amber Road
Estrella also highlighted that the Government is making progress in executing important infrastructure projects in Puerto Plata, including the Amber Highway, which will connect Puerto Plata with Santiago and strengthen connectivity, trade, and productive and tourism activities in the Northern region.
The minister also highlighted the investments the Government is making in the province, including the construction and rehabilitation of bridges, roads, and streets in different communities.
“That’s called investment, that’s called development, that’s called opportunity, that’s called connectivity, and that’s called thinking about people,” he said.
More projects for Puerto Plata
Estrella reported that several bridges are currently under construction in the province and that work is underway on awarding contracts for eight additional structures, while road projects such as the El Estrecho-Ímbert and Barrabás highways are progressing.
With the delivery of the bridge over the Camú River, the Government is restoring a fundamental connection for the communities in the area and for the exchange between Santiago and Puerto Plata, thereby boosting transportation, trade, production, and tourism in the region.
Senator Ginette Bournigal, representing the province, said she was excited about the speed of work on the bridge and highlighted President Luis Abinader’s support.
The bishop of the diocese of Puerto Plata, Monsignor Julio César Corniel, blessed the work.
President Abinader was accompanied at the event by the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; the provincial governor, Claritza Rochette; the president of the Banco de Reservas, Leonardo Aguilera; the director of the IDAC, Igor Rodríguez; and the deputies Emil Durán, Lidia Pérez, Jhonny Medina, Heidy Musa, Juan Medina and Fiordaliza Estévez, among other authorities.
