The expansion of line 2 of the Metro towards Los Alcarrizos It has become one of the most rugged projects of recent public works. What should be executed in 12 months has extended without a definitive date and the cost of the contracts grows with each approved addendum.
The Transport reorganization office (OPRET) justifies these increases in the need to restore the economic balance of the construction companies, beaten by the rise in materials and labor.
A work that derails from Original plan
Expansion designers calculated deadlines between six and 12 months for each contract. However, the times multiplied and the costs shot up. In some cases, the increase has been up to 73.59 % on the original amount.
Only in 15 agreementsthe accumulated increase amounts to 2,799.4 million of pesos, 44.39 % above the provisions of the beginning.
The OPRET maintains that the adjustments respond to International rise of construction materials and salaries. In the case of the station located in the vicinity of Monumental Avenue, the contract signed in October 2021 by 498.8 million pesos received an adndum of 107.4 million in just five months, equivalent to the additional 21 %. The contractor requested it and the institution approved it with the argument of “economic balance“
The figures of Pro consumer They confirm that, between October 2021 and March 2022, the price of the cement cover of 42.5 kilos went from 400 to 450 pesos (a 12.5 % more).
In that same period, the six -inch block increased from 42.5 to 46.5 pesos the unit (9.41 %), and the 3/8 inch rod rose 6.37 %. The Yellow Itabo, on the other hand, maintained its price at 1,100 pesos.
He Central Bank then registered Intermennsual inflations between 0.64 and 1.18 %, well below the applied readjustment percentages.
To this contract were subsequently added 150 million More in December 2024 and 1.3 million in April 2025, bringing the total cost to 757.5 million pesos, a global increase of 51.88 %. The work, which should be completed in July 2022, has not yet been delivered.
Out -of -term and budget stations
The situation is repeated in the Five stations Started at the end of 2021, all with nine -month deadlines that have already far exceeded.
The station of the Prolongation February 27 It went from 460.3 million to 799.1 milliona 73.59 % more. Meanwhile, that of Pantojain it Kilometer 14 From the Duarte Highway, he jumped from 459.9 million in December 2021 to 777.5 million, after four ADEDS which raised their value 69.08 %.
Similar case is that of the station of the Baseball Avenue. Hired by 511.7 million in March 2023, reached the 850.3 million In January 2025, a 66.18 % more. The main stop at Los Alcarrizos It rose from 799.7 million to 1,304 millionequivalent to a 63.08 %.
In each case, the ADEDS The costs increased and also prolonged delivery deadlines.
Domino effect on project management
The delays They also impacted the management and management contract of the work, which had to be completed in 20 months With a budget of 847.2 million of pesos. The amount amounts to 1,270.6 million, an increase of 49.98 %.
The company Political Bitácora Consulting It was hired by 78.8 million to take care of “Environmental accompaniment and social of expropriations. “As the unemployment of land is not achieved in the planned 14 months, the OPRET extended the deadline six more months and added additional 36 million, 45.79 % increase.
With each increase, inevitable expenses such as Technical supervision and 10 % contractual benefit for Builders.
The official explanation
The OPRET responsible for the delays to external circumstances: variations in the technical conditions of the land; obstacles in the negotiation of expropriations with owners and tenants; and the need to add items not foreseen to the original contract.
Thus, for example, the contract of “”Project management (Project Manager) and direction of the civil works required for the construction of the Line 2c of the Santo Domingo Metro“The marginal of the work did not contemplate. To include it they were approved 30.4 million additional in the second of four ADEDS.
The same happened with the station of the Prolongation February 27to which they were added 150 million for Coatingsfacades, doors, concrete and steel for stairs.
The OPRET It emphasizes that in no case penalties have been applied to Contractors Because – he says, the delays are not attributable to them.
“The delays observed respond to External factors to the direct control of the contractor and the institution, although closely linked to the programmed development of the project, “responded to a request for free access to information.
The land that sinks
One of the greatest budget increases came from unforeseen spending in land stabilization. Although initial technical studies were carried out – found to the Atteco firm, SA, for a value of 485.1 million of pesos – was during execution when the OPRET discovered soil conditions that demanded additional perforations and concrete injections.
Those works were incorporated as New games. Even tasks outside the original object were added, such as the design of the air conditioning of the Five stations or the construction of a basement at the stop of the Prolongation February 27.
A chain of ADEDS
The OPRET ensures that all modifications were made according to the Law 340-06 of Purchases and hiringthat empowers adjustments in case of financial unbalances that affect the contractor or the institution. That standard allows to exceed the top of 25 % in exceptional circumstances.
All ADEDSadd the entity, were approved by the General Comptroller of the Republic, with its reformulated budgets and justifying reports.
The transparency in question
The legal argument does not dissipate, however, doubts about project management. It is striking that all of the works of the Line 2c has suffered increases in such significant costs, sometimes well above the reported inflation during execution periods.
The case illustrates a recurring practice in the public procurement Dominican: Low initial budgets that are then inflated through ADEDSunreal terms that prolong indefinitely and the absence of penalties to Contractors Despite the delays.
The subway towards Los Alcarrizosconceived as a rapid solution to the transport of thousands of passengers, progress slowly while its cost is triggered. What started with Clear contracts and deadlines defined today has become a Financial puzzle and technician whose outcome is still to be seen.
