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Drivers and pedestrians are calling on the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) to analyze a crack in the Winston Churchill-Kennedy overpass. (Photo: Diario Libre/Matías Boncosky)
Santo Domingo.- A crack in a key overpass joint has sparked concern among drivers and pedestrians in the National District, prompting calls for an urgent inspection by the Ministry of Public Works. The fissure is located on the elevated highway that connects Winston Churchill Avenue with John F. Kennedy Avenue, specifically on the south-to-north ramp. Reporters from Diario Libre visited the site on Friday and documented the crack with photos and videos, confirming the public’s worries about the structure’s condition.
The overpass, built during the first government of Leonel Fernández (1996-2000), is a critical transportation artery used by thousands of commuters daily, especially during rush hour. Due to the constant heavy traffic, citizens are demanding that the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) conduct a thorough analysis to determine the severity of the crack and if any corrective measures are necessary. As of now, the MOPC has not yet issued a public statement.
Past concerns raise new questions
The public’s anxiety is heightened by recent events involving another key piece of infrastructure, the Francisco del Rosario Sánchez bridge, commonly known as the “Puente de la 17.” Earlier this year, the MOPC announced that it would undergo a general repair due to its deteriorated state.
The agency had previously downplayed concerns about “slight cracks” in the bridge’s expansion joints, stating that they did not pose a danger to drivers. This history has led many to question the current state of the Churchill-Kennedy overpass and to urge authorities to act proactively to ensure public safety.
You think this is the only Crack? The Dominican Republic does not have a national DOT and its still a country that relies on the president to coordinate budget to even pave asphalt on streets. The country is progressing, but it needs to move on from 1970s and expand the government and allocate budget.
Jj listen , I know that it doesn’t function entirely well but the DR does have an equivalent to a DOT which is the Oficina de Obras Publicas that is in charge of the roads and public construction. This office has a comprehensive annual budget and an Secretary that has some level of independence. So what you said is not entirely true.
An infrastructure overhaul is desperately needed to fix both infrastructure and reduce congestion.
The problem in DR is that every peso gets invested in tourism and the government generally doesn’t give a hoot about the streets or traffic, or the general welfare of it’s population. Thing is, tourists care about infrastructure too, nobody wants to drive on streets with craters bigger than on the moon and busses making left turns from the far right lane, putting everybody in danger.