I was an engineer on several large prestressed (post-tensioned) girder and box girder bridges in Saudi Arabia. They require an level of expertise not likely available on the North Coast, but it could be done.The prestressed beams seem to be the go-to solution for many of the new bridges they're building. They probably have a much longer life and no rust issues to worry about.
But I drove the detour this AM and it added about 35 minutes extra to Montellano. I left at 7:10 and arrived an 7:52 usually it's a 10 minute trip. Later in the day I am sure it will double the delay.
The road is bad, dusty, very rough and narrow and some jamoke in a cement block truck had broken down in a narrow section, fortunately not the direction I was headed but still was almost impassable. When you pass a beer or dump truck there is no room whatsoever. Don't see how two of them can pass is some areas.
While they are improving the unpaved areas of this route and adding some rows of 36" RCP for the creek crossing on the route, everything will be a cluster-f**k if it rains, even slightly. And they can not widen where there are houses each side
So I dropped my friends car off and took a taxi back walking across the bridge. They are even controlling walking, queuing for police to send groups.
That bridge needs maintenance for sure but it is not in a state of tear down
The bridge could be made workable in a few weeks with a skilled construction team and competent engineers.
The taxi driver told me he was hearing it would be repaired and back up in a couple months.
Avoid the detour, unless you like frustration and your car is a beater with good ground clearance.
The economic impact of this on the buses, tourism, shoppers going to Puerto Plata, the hospitals and freight, tours from Sosua and food deliveries are going to really be impacted. Sosua and Cabarete, as well as Montellano will feel it. Maybe millions lost per week. The good news - likely fewer buses of drunks coming to trash Sosua Beach on Saturdays and Sundays.
It would be a shame if they let this detour become anymore than a very short-term detour.
Forget going to Jumbo to go food shopping for a while. Forget taking your car to your mechanic in Puerto Plata. Forget a routine doctor's visit. Forget trying to get to Teleferico or a restaurant on the Malecon. Forget a Brugal tour