In La Vega President Abinader inaugurates Antonio Guzmán Bridge over the Camú River

La Vega. – President Luis Abinader inaugurated the Antonio Guzmán Bridge over the Camú River this Friday, restoring connectivity between important sectors of the municipality of La Vega, after more than two years out of service. Also inaugurated were the bridges over the La Palma River in Constanza and the Verde River in the Río Verde Arriba municipal district, along with a series of roadworks on Imbert Avenue and in the Los Quemados community of the Cutupú municipal district, all carried out by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC).

Residents and passersby enthusiastically welcomed the works, which improve mobility, strengthen connectivity between communities, and facilitate the development of productive activities in the province.

During the event, the Minister of Public Works and Communications, Eduardo Estrella, highlighted that President Abinader’s Government is carrying out investments exceeding RD$20 billion in the province of La Vega, through that institution, and emphasized that the works inaugurated this Friday represent an investment of RD$521 million, as part of the efforts to improve road connectivity and respond to the needs of the communities.

Estrella reported that the Government is working on 26 bridges in the province, including new construction and expansions. These include nine on the Duarte Highway, seven on the Jarabacoa road, and the three delivered today. She said four of the nine bridges on the Duarte Highway are already finished, while work on the other five is underway.

He also explained that the interventions include the construction of a new bridge on the Jarabacoa road, which will have five lanes, three going up and two going down, as well as other structures that are in the process of completion, bidding, or pending bidding, with financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Referring to the magnitude of the investments made by the Government, the official stated: “If that’s not a record, Mr. President, it’s a good average,” highlighting the number of bridges being built and expanded in the province.

Eatrella also highlighted progress on the Duarte Highway expansion, noting that one lane heading toward Santo Domingo is nearly finished, while work continues on the lane heading toward La Vega. Regarding the Jarabacoa highway, he said efforts are underway to expedite construction, including bringing in new contractors and resolving expropriation-related issues.

In that regard, he assured that President Abinader is constantly monitoring the province’s ongoing projects. “The president is always asking about these projects, and we are constantly working on them,” Estrella stated.

He also emphasized that road investments underway in the Cibao region, including the Santiago and Navarrete bypasses, will improve La Vega’s connection to the Northwest Line, making it easier to travel to Mao and Montecristi without navigating traffic lights along the way. “I believe that’s what building is all about, that’s what moving forward is about, and that’s what investing in people is about.”

Estrella also highlighted that, despite the difficulties of the international context and the costs of fuel and electricity, President Abinader maintains public investment as a priority, allocating the necessary resources to guarantee the continuity of infrastructure projects.

In that vein, he affirmed that the Government is fulfilling its financial commitments to contractors while also demanding that projects be completed within the established deadlines. “This is a Government that pays, but it is also a Government that demands; it demands that projects be delivered on time, because people don’t just want the work to begin, they want it to be finished.”

President Abinader listens to the communities and prioritizes solutions

For her part, La Vega governor Luisa Jiménez thanked President Luis Abinader for the projects carried out in the province and highlighted his commitment to listening to communities and prioritizing solutions that address their needs. She also emphasized that the president has the support of a team of officials who work daily to contribute to the country’s development and praised his close connection with the people and his willingness to address the demands of the various regions. “With all my heart, with all my soul, thank you, President Luis Abinader. We will continue working in La Vega, we will continue moving forward, and La Vega is being transformed because you lead the best Government in recent years in the Dominican Republic,” she expressed.

Meanwhile, the mayor of La Vega, Amparo Altagracia Custodio Guerrero, thanked President Abinader for his Government’s investment in projects that address the needs of the population, highlighting that the inauguration of the Antonio Guzmán Bridge represents a significant step forward for mobility, communication between communities, and the economic development of the province. She also praised the effort and dedication of the Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Estrella, and emphasized that these projects directly impact citizens’ quality of life. “A bridge not only connects two geographical points, but it also brings families closer together, facilitates work, boosts commerce, and opens paths to development.”

Bridge over the Camú River

The Antonio Guzmán Bridge, over the Camú River, replaced the old structure, which was closed to traffic in April 2024 because of deterioration. The new bridge, open to vehicles and pedestrians since last August, is 64.70 meters long, eight meters wide, has two traffic lanes, and sidewalks on both sides.

As part of this intervention, the MOPC also paved the main avenue and 13 surrounding streets, and constructed sidewalks and curbs, signage, lighting, and hydraulic protection works using gabions.

Restoring this corridor significantly contributes to La Vega’s urban dynamics by re-establishing a connection used daily by residents, merchants, and drivers, improving access to establishments and services, and improving traffic conditions in surrounding areas.

Bridge over the La Palma River

In the municipality of Constanza, specifically in the La Palma sector near Tireo, a bridge was built over the La Palma River. This infrastructure strengthens communication between agricultural communities and facilitates transporting products from production areas to collection and marketing centers. The bridge is 35 meters long, with a 7.5-meter-wide deck that provides a wider roadway with two traffic lanes. It also includes hydraulic protection, drainage, access improvements, signage, and solar lighting.

Bridge over the Verde River

Also, in the municipal district of Río Verde Arriba, Public Works built the bridge over the Verde River, on the Manga Larga–El Quemado road, accompanied by road improvement works that include lateral drainage channels and curbs, gabion walls, side defenses, signage and lighting.

Interventions in Los Quemados of the municipal district of Cutupú

In the community of Los Quemados, in the municipal district of Cutupú, work was also carried out to restore road access to the area, addressing a long-standing need of its residents, who for years faced difficulties getting around and accessing essential services. This project improves the mobility of families and enhances the conditions for the development of agricultural and commercial activities in the community.

Construction and adaptation of Imbert Avenue

Among the interventions presented is also the construction and adaptation of Imbert Avenue, in the main municipality of La Vega, a project with a double carriageway and two lanes in each direction.

The works cover 1,809 meters of paving, including both roadways and six perpendicular streets, as well as 1,345 square meters of sidewalks, 1,329 linear meters of curbs, 916 linear meters of curbs in the central island and drainage and signage works.

This intervention helps to organize vehicular and pedestrian traffic, facilitate access to commercial establishments and improve the travel conditions of residents, workers, customers and suppliers.

Infrastructure at the service of communities

These interventions are especially important in a province whose economic activity is closely linked to trade, agricultural production, services, and tourism. In areas like Constanza, where agriculture is a key component of the economy, functional road connections facilitate the transport of crops and access to markets.

Similarly, the restoration of bridges and the improvement of urban and rural roads directly impact the daily lives of the population, by facilitating travel to educational centers, health facilities, workplaces and other essential services.

The event was attended by the senator of the province, Ramón Rogelio Genao; the bishop of the diocese of La Vega, Monsignor Andrés Napoleón Romero; the contractors of the works, Juan Araceli and Rafael Gómez; as well as deputies, vice ministers, local authorities, representatives of the press, members of the Armed Forces and community members of the province.