I drove it twice last week, down and back to Puerto Plata. There is lots of work being done, lots of heavy truck moving rock and delivering culvert piping. Be prepared to get stuck behind more than one big truck doing 15. It is passable but dont be in a hurry, there are about 8 sections were the traffic is one way and unmanned. In addition there are traffic sign guys stationed around the heavy equipment, about 6 directing traffic around the crews. My suggestion is to drive it during lunch time, all the work stops between 12 and 2.
The road is smooth, no huge potholes by there are now more loose gravel and dirt sections than paved. It's incredibly dusty, windows up is a must but if you are not in a huge hurry it can be easily done in about an hour.