Santiago.– The president Luis Abinader led the event opening of 48.49 kilometers of roads and streets in different municipalities of the Sierra de Santiagowith the purpose of strengthening road connectivity, improving the security of the transit and the dynamization of economic development and ecotouristic of the region.
The works represented an investment of RD$3,500 million and contribute to strengthening the road connectivity of strategic communities in the mountain region, improving traffic safety and promoting economic and ecotourism development.
In that sense, the constructions were executed by the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company (EGEHID) as part of its social commitment to the communities located in the area of influence of the Tavera–Bao–López-Angostura hydroelectric complex,
A commitment assumed by the Government after years of complaints
The general administrator of the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company (EGEHID), Rafael Salazar, highlighted that the road works delivered in the Sierra de Santiago respond to a commitment assumed by the Government after years of community complaints that had not been addressed.
Salazar recalled that, together with local and community authorities, EGEHID carried out the studies, designs and budgets necessary to execute the works, thus fulfilling the commitment assumed by President Luis Abinader to transform the region’s road infrastructure.
He detailed that the works delivered reach a total extension of 48.49 kilometers, including the Santiago–San José de las Matas highway, the first stage of the San José de las Matas–Pedregal–Los Montones–Guázuma–Aguas Calientes road, internal streets of Las Placetas and various roads in the municipal district of La Cuesta, directly impacting multiple communities.
Likewise, he highlighted that these works benefit not only San José de las Matas, but also other municipalities and districts such as Jánico, Sabana Iglesia, Baitoa, El Caimito and Juncalito, and that they were executed with the active supervision of local authorities, neighborhood associations and community institutions.
National infrastructure investment policy promoted by President Luis Abinader
For his part, the Minister of Public Works and Communications, Eduardo Estrella, stated that the works being carried out in the province of Santiago are part of a national policy of investment in infrastructure promoted by President Luis Abinader, and clarified that the intervention in the Sierra is not an exception, but a response to a historical debt with communities that for decades demanded better access roads and greater equity in development.
Estrella highlighted that the Government has prioritized the construction and rehabilitation of trunk, secondary and internal roads that connect municipalities and districts such as San José de las Matas, Sabana Iglesia, Baitoa, Jánico, El Caimito and El Rubio, as well as new works under study, including bridges and strategic roads, with the aim of promoting agriculture, ecotourism, investment and quality of life, ensuring that all infrastructure is executed with quality standards and coordination with local authorities.
Santiago-San José de las Matas Highway
Among the inaugurated works, the Santiago-San José de las Matas highway stands out, of which 25.5 kilometers were delivered, completely completing this important road that connects the city of Santiago with the municipality of San José de las Matas.
Internal streets of the Las Placetas municipal district
Likewise, 4.5 kilometers of reconstructed and paved streets were inaugurated, directly benefiting the Las Placetas Arriba sectors; The Sleeves; Los Morillos and the Suzo Núñez neighborhood.
Municipal district of La Cuesta
In this district, 4.7 kilometers of the La Cuesta–Loma de los Palos highway were delivered, in addition to 4.5 kilometers of streets in the El Cementerio sectors; The Naranjito; Las Auyamas and Callejón No. 1, for a total of 9.2 kilometers intervened.
San José de las Matas–Pedregal–Los Montones–Guázuma–Aguas Calientes Highway (First stage)
9.17 kilometers corresponding to the first stage of this highway were also inaugurated, of which 4.98 kilometers are completely completed and 4.19 kilometers are paved.
Impact and social commitment
These works are part of a broad social investment program by EGEHID, aimed at improving the road infrastructure of the communities of the Sierra de Santiago, guaranteeing safer, modern and resilient roads, and contributing to the comprehensive development of thousands of families.
The governor of Santiago, Rosa Santos, was present; the senator, Daniel Rivera; the mayor of Santiago, Ulises Rodríguez; the mayor of San José de las Matas, Alfredo Reyes; the general director of Coraasan, Andrés Cueto; and the directors of the municipal districts of La Cuesta, Eddy Rivas, and El Rubio, Ivanova Ramos.
