There have already been three rock slides on the Jarabacoa highway

Jarabacoa, DR.- At least three landslides and rock falls have been recorded in the last month on a section of the Federico Basilis Highway, which connects La Vega with the municipality of Jarabacoa .

This section is part of the road reconstruction project, which has been underway for approximately three years.

The most recent of the recorded landslides occurred last Thursday afternoon, hampering traffic.

According to the Buena Vista Fire Department , who attended the event, responding to the emergency and assessing the damage caused by the landslide, there were no injuries or injuries on this occasion .

This Friday morning, heavy equipment was on the stretch of road, removing rocks and debris from the landslide.

This is the third time in a span of one month and three days that a landslide of this magnitude has occurred in the same location.

On September 13, a huge rock fell on a vehicle traveling there, completely crushing the front of the truck. The passengers in the vehicle were unharmed . Furthermore, the construction company immediately compensated those affected.

Likewise, on September 30, another displacement occurred. This time, there were no human or material losses.

Given this situation, the Federation of Neighborhood Associations, the mayors’ offices of Buena Vista and Jarabacoa, and the Fire Department are advocating for a larger network of signage in the area.

Joselito Abreu, mayor of Jarabacoa, Stanley Ureña, district director of Buena Vista, Colonel Batista, superintendent of the Buena Vista Fire Department, and Leomaris Puntiel, president of the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Jarabacoa, representing the entire district, highlighted the need to improve citizen caution when traveling on this highway by improving the signage system.

“It’s essential that the construction company understands and acknowledges that they are responsible for maintaining the signage and everything related to pedestrian safety, so that no unfortunate situations occur. They must make a commitment, which they truly haven’t done; they haven’t invested anything in signage,” Abreu said.

In addition, the president of the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Jarabacoa , Leomaris Puntiel, indicated that concern has overwhelmed the residents of Buena Vista and Jarabacoa, who must travel on this sole route, since there is no other alternative, to get to their jobs and communicate with the city of La Vega.

He also explained that this situation with the highway has affected tourism in Jarabacoa , since people are afraid to travel there, especially in the Puerto area, due to the danger it represents.