They Cheated Us with the Saman? Highway

donP

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Dec 14, 2008
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The Dominican government signed a contract for 30 years with the Columbian company which constructed the Saman? highway.
Now the Dominicans realize that they have to subsidize the road heavily and claim they were cheated...


[video=youtube;PlPWgylxHXA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlPWgylxHXA[/video]

donP
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
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I think it was PICHARDO who claimed this was a great project. Someone made some money on that contract.

The same thing was being looked at as an alternate road from the north coast to the Santiago. Who thinks they won't make the same "mistake" twice.
 
Feb 7, 2007
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Not for nothing el Don Odebrecht has been indicted in Brazil on charges of corruption of local and foreign officials, overcharging, and money laundering.... though this road had not been built by the Odebrecht consortia, other roads and works in the DR have been ...
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102773965

Odebrecht indictments will be based on incriminatory emails | Valor International

Why do the people (citizens) (anywhere) always get the shorter stick ... and why it is Brazil that has "pantalones" to start investigating and prosecuting cases like this one, or Tucanos, etc. and not the DR; scandals where the highest level business and political interests interwind in twisted cases of corruption and state funds' misappropriation in benefit of the few.
 
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LTSteve

Gold
Jul 9, 2010
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The Dominican government signed a contract for 30 years with the Columbian company which constructed the Saman? highway.
Now the Dominicans realize that they have to subsidize the road heavily and claim they were cheated...


[video=youtube;PlPWgylxHXA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlPWgylxHXA[/video]

donP

Yes, it is way overpriced but the cost of construction to create a highway through coral formations and mountains was very expensive. Sadly, the deal was signed by people who didn't consider the long term. The plan originally was to have a toll for all who were coming onto the Samana Peninsula. When that fell through they were left with plan B which was to put a high tariff on the 27kms from El Catey to Las Terrenas. It is still worth the price for convenience and you still have the option to go over the mountain in Sanchez.
 

zoomzx11

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Jan 21, 2006
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Has there ever been Dominican highway construction without corruption? Corruption is ingrained in the culture of the DR. Tolls that go on forever are a choice morsel. It would be more of a shock if the road was built corruption free.
 

LTSteve

Gold
Jul 9, 2010
5,449
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Has there ever been Dominican highway construction without corruption? Corruption is ingrained in the culture of the DR. Tolls that go on forever are a choice morsel. It would be more of a shock if the road was built corruption free.

Funny, when the original section of the highway from SDQ to El Catey was being constructed by the Columbians, there were reports of small planes landing on parts of the unfinished highway. Those Columbians are very ingenious and creative. Someone got richer. Agreeing to bad deals and padding your pocket is a way of life in the Caribbean and Central America.
 
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the gorgon

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Sep 16, 2010
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Funny, when the original section of the highway from SDQ to El Catey was being constructed by the Columbians, there were reports of small plans landing on parts of the unfinished highway. Those Columbians are very ingenious and creative. Someone got richer. Agreeing to bad deals and padding your pocket is a way of life in the Caribbean and Central America.

bad deals and padding pockets is a way of life the world over.

normal toilet seats do not sell for 600 dollars.
 

DRob

Gold
Aug 15, 2007
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You do, and should expect to pay around 10-15 dollars in pesos, each way.
 

ju10prd

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Nov 19, 2014
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Accountkiller
522 on the LT road....

same on the SDQ/Nagua ruta ??

Yes that was for a car on Boulevard del Atlantico toll road.

For Autovia de Samana......

Peaje #1 RD55
Peaje #2 RD179
Peaje #3 RD210

Total therefore from Autopista Las Americas to Las Terrenas using toll roads by car is RD966 each way at present.
 

DRob

Gold
Aug 15, 2007
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Yes that was for a car on Boulevard del Atlantico toll road.

For Autovia de Samana......

Peaje #1 RD55
Peaje #2 RD179
Peaje #3 RD210

Total therefore from Autopista Las Americas to Las Terrenas using toll roads by car is RD966 each way at present.

...which, at current exchange rates, is about 22 bucks.