Considered as a new urban icon and unique in the world, designed specifically for the entrance of the city to and from the northern region, rises the pedestrian bridge that builds the Ministry of Public Works through the Yellow company at kilometer 9 of the Duarte highway.
The new bridge, which is part of the road complex at the chaotic kilometer 9 point, will be supported by two concrete towers; one to the south and the other to the north with a height of 28 meters, built on 15 buried piles to a depth of 24 meters and a footing of 1.50 meters thick.
The engineer Welcome Hernandezresponsible for the construction of the new viaduct, explained that the north toweralso in concrete, but post-tensioned, that is, internally reinforced with steel cables, is in the formwork phase.
These towers will support a 52-meter metal walkway, which, together with the 15-meter flight on one side, will connect directly to the Maria Montez station of the Metro and the Santo Domingo Oeste Cable Car, as well as the southern marginal in a free section so that pedestrians can cross safely and widely.
“It’s a totally free space. There are no intermediate columns, there is nothing that touches the ground. From one tower to the other are some 70 meters without support“, he explained. This will allow the 16 traffic lanesas well as sidewalks on both sides.
The structure will allow a minimum height of 7 meters between the pavement and the bridge, enough so that no large vehicle can impact it, according to Hernández.
As to seismic safetyincorporates reinforced neoprene or synthetic rubber supports, similar to systems used in aeronautics and in the space program. These elements help dissipate energy in the event of tremors.
“The pins are similar to those that supported the supports of the Columbia space transporter“Hernández explained.
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This is an inclusive project that will have two panoramic elevators, one to the north and one to the south with access ramps from the street to the platforms with a non-slip floor designed to prevent slipping, as well as a roof made of special transparent material that will protect pedestrians from the rain.
The steps will be equipped with special “cinema” type lights to illuminate each step and walkways at night. The entire project will have 26 lighting towers that will have a emergency plant which was built on the part of Luperón Avenue.
In addition, the convergence zone, which includes the entire intervened part, will have a monitoring systemclosed circuit cameras connected to the 9-1-1 system, to the Ministry of Public Works and to Ministry of Defense.
When will the bridge be ready?
Although the goal is to assemble the structure before end of the yearthe bridge will not come into use immediatelysince the upper slab remains to be emptied, finishes installed and the final connections completed.
“Every effort is being made to have it assembled at the end of the year, but it would not be in use yet,” said Hernández, who reiterated that it will be a very important and beautiful work that will present a new face of the city from the Cibao region.
