Ambar Highway in Doubt

[windeguy]

August 24, 2022 From Sosua News https://www.sosuanews.com/index.php?id=6604&article=1​

The Ambar Highway​

The construction of the Ámbar Highway, which will connect Santiago to Puerto Plata in 27 minutes, has not started because the various studies that have been carried out have not been able to determine that enough traffic will use the road to maintain the highway. That information was presented this Monday by the DGAPP's executive director, Sigmund Freund, who also indicated that the government would need to make a capital investment at the time of construction of the work. In that sense, he argued that the reality of the highway is that all roads and infrastructure projects in general are run so that they can be sustainable with the traffic they generate. That is, the vehicles that drive on the highway are the ones that have to pay for the financing, operation of the highway, and major and minor maintenance. The president (Luis Abinader) has not said that the work will not go ahead, but that he simply cannot launch the highway until a reasonably accurate and clear model is found that guarantees transparency and that the interests of the state are not harmed.
The other side of this case.
The former president of the Association for the Development of Puerto Plata, Jhonny Tavárez Capellán, assured on Wednesday that there are sectors that are against the development of the province of Puerto Plata and that they are against the government Luis Abinader building the highway to Puerto Plata which would connect Santiago to Puerto Plata in less than 30 minutes.​

The Ambar Highway​

Jhonny Tavárez Capellan, who is also the Provincial Director of Health, stressed that the construction of this important road will contribute to the motorization of the region's economy as it will generate new investment and boost tourism. I've seen sectors that don't want Puerto Plata to continue with the booming development that's been going on in recent years and are against the Ámbar highway, but this work would be the best thing that can happen to our province.
In addition, the prominent doctor from Puerto Plata called for the construction of four lanes from Playa Dorada to Sosúa and the Cabarete bypass to complement the Ámbar highway. In his opinion, the road infrastructure will not only allow connecting Santiago and Puerto Plata in about 28 minutes, but will shorten the journey from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata to two hours.​

 

[windeguy]

The North Coast is certainly not a focal point for new projects, it would seem. Some talk, then no action.

 

[bob saunders]

One drive through PP to get to the airport would make anyone support this highway.

 

[JD Jones]

I have to think that if this was built, it would all but eliminate traffic on the other alternatives.

 

[tee]

DGAPP's executive director, Sigmund Freund??? His parents obviously had a sense of humor!!!

 

[keepcoming]

I have taken the trip from Santo Domingo to PP (and back) a few times, I cannot tell you how much I dislike this ride. Would the new highway really make the trip 2 hrs. Santo Domingo to PP as it is hard for me to imagine this.

 

[JD Jones]

I have taken the trip from Santo Domingo to PP (and back) a few times, I cannot tell you how much I dislike this ride. Would the new highway really make the trip 2 hrs. Santo Domingo to PP as it is hard for me to imagine this.

Nope. You'd have to have a really heavy foot to come close.

 

[rogerjac]

If I remember correctly, a DR1 member use to do the trip SD to PP in 2 to 3 hours. Frank I think

 

[jd_mine]

Isn't it funny they only start to investigate whether there would actually be enough traffic to support a highway after announcing they will build a highway????

 

[windeguy]

If I remember correctly, a DR1 member use to do the trip SD to PP in 2 to 3 hours. Frank I think

That was Frank12 on a high end motorcycle going well over the speed limit. Frank12 is now closing and liquidating shopping malls in the US.

As for this thread, it points out the lack of importance of the north coast when the President announces plans for all three of these projects and none of them will get done.

 

[drstock]

Isn't it funny they only start to investigate whether there would actually be enough traffic to support a highway after announcing they will build a highway????

I know from talking to an architect working on the project that many, many hours have already gone into it's planning. As you say, rather late to start considering its cost-effectiveness.

 

[windeguy]

I know from talking to an architect working on the project that many, many hours have already gone into it's planning. As you say, rather late to start considering its cost-effectiveness.

When you say gone, do you mean the houses were already removed?

 

[Cabarete Sanctuarium]

If I remember correctly, a DR1 member use to do the trip SD to PP in 2 to 3 hours. Frank I think

on a KTM motorcycle, only way.

 

[william webster]

at speed....

 

[drstock]

When you say gone, do you mean the houses were already removed?

No, I mean they have spent a lot of hours planning.

 

[bob saunders]

I have made the trip from Jarabacoa to POP in approximately two hours, sometimes a little quicker and sometimes a little slower. The mountain road to the tunnel is much faster than it used to be, and it isnt until you get right into Puerta Plata that the traffic slows you down.

 

[hammerdown]

I've done Cabarete - Churchill/JFK in 2hrs 6 min....... although you can't do it that kind of time now because of all the speedbumps..... I was taking a guy for his visa interview and he didn't get it because I think he still has some crap in his pants.....