NALs, Rafael Osiris de Le?n is a Geological Engineer, who happens to be in the Board of Directors of the Dominican National Academy of Science, and is the Coordinator of its Natural Science and Environmental Commission. Ing. Osiris de Le?n has not tried to 'micromanage' the construction of the Metro, what he is doing is raising a fundamental point applicable to any private or public engineering work, which is the lack of adequate planning, and the lack of the necessary geotecnical or geophysical soil studies. Ing. Osiris de Le?n has even suggested that the State's auditing authority, the C?mara de Cuentas, become directly involved in overseeing the project. It was at the urging of Ing. Osiris de Le?n that journalist Huchi Lora took Metro's director Diandino Pe?a to court, under the freedom of information act recently approved by Congress. The court ruled in Huchi Lora's favor. However, Ing. Diandino Pe?a until now has refuses to provide the requested information, alledging a presumed national security issue, which is not even considered in DR law. Currently, Diandino Pe?a is in contempt for his non compliance to the Court order. What Geological Engineer Osiris de Le?n wants to do is prove the incompetence of the current Metro construction authorities (the Oficina para el Reordenamiento del Transporte (OPRET) headed by Ing. Diandino Pe?a, and that the lack of initial planning and improvisation is causing tremendous cost overruns and delays in the termination of the works.
- Thread starter Frank the Tank
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Metro will be "cheap" ja ja ja ja
NALs, Rafael Osiris de Le?n is a Geological Engineer, who happens to be in the Board of Directors of the Dominican National Academy of Science, and is the Coordinator of its Natural Science and Environmental Commission. Ing. Osiris de Le?n has not tried to 'micromanage' the construction of the Metro, what he is doing is raising a fundamental point applicable to any private or public engineering work, which is the lack of adequate planning, and the lack of the necessary geotecnical or geophysical soil studies. Ing. Osiris de Le?n has even suggested that the State's auditing authority, the C?mara de Cuentas, become directly involved in overseeing the project. It was at the urging of Ing. Osiris de Le?n that journalist Huchi Lora took Metro's director Diandino Pe?a to court, under the freedom of information act recently approved by Congress. The court ruled in Huchi Lora's favor. However, Ing. Diandino Pe?a until now has refuses to provide the requested information, alledging a presumed national security issue, which is not even considered in DR law. Currently, Diandino Pe?a is in contempt for his non compliance to the Court order. What Geological Engineer Osiris de Le?n wants to do is prove the incompetence of the current Metro construction authorities (the Oficina para el Reordenamiento del Transporte (OPRET) headed by Ing. Diandino Pe?a, and that the lack of initial planning and improvisation is causing tremendous cost overruns and delays in the termination of the works.
Nal's,
As you have directly addressed me I will address you directly.
1. Speaking as a person that isn't an expert in anything I will state for the record that I will take the word of Osiris de Le?n over a 'wanna-be' expert such as yourself. I have seen his credentials published and as a Dominican living and teaching in the Dominican Republic I would venture a guess that his thoughts for his fellow Dominicans is at a level that far exceeds that of a Dominican sitting on his duff in the US.
2. Is there any particular reason why you chose Osiris de Le?n over all those other people that I linked to?
3. Rather then trying through your normal routine of shifting the discussion as it pertains to my post that covered so much I would suggest you read it again and comment on every expert and critic that had something to say concerning the SD Metro.
4. Remember that the reason for my post was to dispel the myth that you had tried to formulate in your post prior as it relates to critics.
5. Rather then trying to turn the tables here on DR1, which has no ever lasting effect on the metro regardless of its disposition, I would suggest that you take an active part in publishing your thoughts in the different medians here in the DR. With such action you just may be able to change the minds of some of those many experts and critics that are against this boondoggle called a metro.
6. If your intension is to fight with me concerning this project then my only advice to you is to pack a lunch because it will be an all day job. I live here, this is my home and anytime something comes along that ends up being just another way of screwing the fine people of the Dominican Republic I will be one of the first people to stand up and say that what is being done is wrong.
I find it just a bit strange that you are always glorifying that which expands the coffers of the elite at the expense of the average Dominican. There are so many examples of the average Dominican getting the short end of the stick here and I never hear you as a critic, expert or even as a Dominican talking about the injustice being perpetrated against the Dominican populace.
Just so that everyone understands where I am coming from as to this metro and everything else in this country;
I wish for the Dominican Republic to become a better country but I wish this for the entire population and not just for the elite few. I wish for the Dominican populace to become better educated and to have some sort of proper health care. I wish for their taxes to go toward that which it should be going toward. I want them to have better transportation and all those things that I would consider a normal person with self pride and pride in his country would want.
As the high taxes and lack of education and health care don't affect me directly due to the fact that I am already educated to a certain extent and I can afford to pay the taxes and health care I will continue to feel a certain amount of the despair that I see everyday here. In the mean time I will continue to do the little things like give free English classes and discuss other possible avenues of doing things to the Dominicans I meet everyday in the hopes that they will one day have a better life. I will continue to write letters to the editor in what ever Dominican newspaper article raises the hackles on my neck and I will continue to speak out against those on DR1 that only think about themselves and their self interests.
Rick
As you have directly addressed me I will address you directly.
1. Speaking as a person that isn't an expert in anything I will state for the record that I will take the word of Osiris de Le?n over a 'wanna-be' expert such as yourself. I have seen his credentials published and as a Dominican living and teaching in the Dominican Republic I would venture a guess that his thoughts for his fellow Dominicans is at a level that far exceeds that of a Dominican sitting on his duff in the US.
2. Is there any particular reason why you chose Osiris de Le?n over all those other people that I linked to?
3. Rather then trying through your normal routine of shifting the discussion as it pertains to my post that covered so much I would suggest you read it again and comment on every expert and critic that had something to say concerning the SD Metro.
4. Remember that the reason for my post was to dispel the myth that you had tried to formulate in your post prior as it relates to critics.
5. Rather then trying to turn the tables here on DR1, which has no ever lasting effect on the metro regardless of its disposition, I would suggest that you take an active part in publishing your thoughts in the different medians here in the DR. With such action you just may be able to change the minds of some of those many experts and critics that are against this boondoggle called a metro.
6. If your intension is to fight with me concerning this project then my only advice to you is to pack a lunch because it will be an all day job. I live here, this is my home and anytime something comes along that ends up being just another way of screwing the fine people of the Dominican Republic I will be one of the first people to stand up and say that what is being done is wrong.
I find it just a bit strange that you are always glorifying that which expands the coffers of the elite at the expense of the average Dominican. There are so many examples of the average Dominican getting the short end of the stick here and I never hear you as a critic, expert or even as a Dominican talking about the injustice being perpetrated against the Dominican populace.
Just so that everyone understands where I am coming from as to this metro and everything else in this country;
I wish for the Dominican Republic to become a better country but I wish this for the entire population and not just for the elite few. I wish for the Dominican populace to become better educated and to have some sort of proper health care. I wish for their taxes to go toward that which it should be going toward. I want them to have better transportation and all those things that I would consider a normal person with self pride and pride in his country would want.
As the high taxes and lack of education and health care don't affect me directly due to the fact that I am already educated to a certain extent and I can afford to pay the taxes and health care I will continue to feel a certain amount of the despair that I see everyday here. In the mean time I will continue to do the little things like give free English classes and discuss other possible avenues of doing things to the Dominicans I meet everyday in the hopes that they will one day have a better life. I will continue to write letters to the editor in what ever Dominican newspaper article raises the hackles on my neck and I will continue to speak out against those on DR1 that only think about themselves and their self interests.
Rick
Please apply what Miguel told you on another thread to everyone.Chip00 said:
It's not Nalsy, its NALs or Nals; short and simple so no need for diminutives thank you very much.
Yes, that's true. up until the last sentence.Chip00 said:
Yes, that's also true.Chip00 said:
Please explain these photos of the bridge being discussed.Chip00 said:
The red metal "columns" are the temporary ones and the cement one's are the permanent, which will support the weight of the bridge. Once the sections of a span of the bridge is bolted together, the temporary metal columns are removed.
On this last photo, the section which spans from the column in the background was placed prior to the section resting on the column in the foreground. The temporary "metal column" was still in place where the two sections meet, but as can be appreciated in previous photos, were placed prior to the metal span of the bridge being bolted together.
-NALs
C
Chip00
Guest
Nals - first of all what is your real name? Mine is Chip.
Ok - if you want an opinion from a Civil Engineer about something somewhat out of his area of expertise I will need a link to the original article, with pictures, IN SPANISH by the geologist please.
Thanks
Ok - if you want an opinion from a Civil Engineer about something somewhat out of his area of expertise I will need a link to the original article, with pictures, IN SPANISH by the geologist please.
Thanks
I will interject something here and as I stated earlier I am no expert but a heck of a critic.
Looking at the photos as published I can not tell if the concrete columns sank or not and if they did then by how much. I also can not tell if any type of extension was placed on top of the columns to compensate for sinkage. Having said that then I see no way to prove if things are being done correctly or not and to my knowledge neither can anyone else by looking at the photos.
The unfortunate part of this entire tit-for-tat that you are trying to present is that only time will tell who is right or wrong. Like a tunnel in New Englang it just might take a death or two to prove or disprove a position. Seems too great a price to pay.
Rick
Edited to add;
All of which brings us to post #61
Looking at the photos as published I can not tell if the concrete columns sank or not and if they did then by how much. I also can not tell if any type of extension was placed on top of the columns to compensate for sinkage. Having said that then I see no way to prove if things are being done correctly or not and to my knowledge neither can anyone else by looking at the photos.
The unfortunate part of this entire tit-for-tat that you are trying to present is that only time will tell who is right or wrong. Like a tunnel in New Englang it just might take a death or two to prove or disprove a position. Seems too great a price to pay.
Rick
Edited to add;
All of which brings us to post #61
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It is clear that the government undertook this proyect without the consent of the people, without caring about the costs and the effects and as most of the people have pointed out in this thread, without the proper geological studies. The thing that I don't understand is...I know that the people opposed, but Why didn?t they mobilized/marched or united to revolt.... in other to block this before it began? Why NOW when its already at almost 60 percent advanced? I do not live in the Dominican Republic and I am trying to be as objective as possible. That?s why I was thinking that it's too late "para ablandar habichuelas" because if the people had had protested against the construction (as they did to the artificial island), there wouldn?t be as much drama now. I read an article last night where they said that the trains were ordered already and are coming in December and that it is advancing a lot. I mean, I just don?t see how this can be turned back at this point; at least the FIRST LINE. But if someone can explain more, I would really appreciate it.
1. Sorry, no can do. If I wanted everyone to know my name or even who am I, I would have used such as my screenname. Nals is fine.
2. I don't really want another opinion from another Civil Engineer about this proyect, been there and done that. I'm simply asking from the sole engineer DR1ers have contact with (perhaps there are more DR1 members who have not "come out" yet about their professions) to explain to the DR1 crowd what's being done; in this case with the bridge under construction over the Isabela for the metro vs. what a geologist with political motivations is claiming on national television.
3. No can do about original article since there are no press articles concerning the photos presented. But, if you want take a trip to SD sometime in the next couple of weeks, go and see it yourself. You can even ask the construction workers, they are quite friendly and eager to help and inform anyone who asks them. If you are lucky, you might bump with one of the actual engineers involved in the project who might be inspecting such.
Then you can come here and post your findings concerning this.
However, I'm a little confused about your request of the "original article". Are you asking the article where PRSC supporter Olisis mentions his ridiculous claim (who could be ticked off that he was not chosen to do the geologic testing - eh, who knows!) or some other article? :ermm:
-NALs
Good point.
Most Dominicans protest and loud when they want a lane to be paved. Hmm, the metro didn't really received such except criticism in papers and such, much how most Dominicans don't protest to demand better schools or an increase in the salary of police officers to stem corruption, etc.
But when they want asphalt to be poured, all hell brakes loose!
Again, good point!
-NALs
Funnyyale26,
You ask some very pertinent questions and when I finish my dinner I will in fact take some time to try to explain why things happen the way they do here as viewed by me and with what ever experience I've gained from living here for 11 years.
Rick
You ask some very pertinent questions and when I finish my dinner I will in fact take some time to try to explain why things happen the way they do here as viewed by me and with what ever experience I've gained from living here for 11 years.
Rick
Nals....tampoco se pueden confundir las cosas.
Mira, in DR people still don?t have that mentality that have the French, that is; they are not aware that if they would mobilize they could cause change. This is because of the lack of education and lack of faith that (I am assuming) Dominican people have acquired....
But still, I mean if people protested against the artificial island and they were able to prevent construction, why didn?t they act the same? Why didn?t the people mobilized against the construction of the metro.
Yes Rick, I'll be waiting for your response
Mira, in DR people still don?t have that mentality that have the French, that is; they are not aware that if they would mobilize they could cause change. This is because of the lack of education and lack of faith that (I am assuming) Dominican people have acquired....
But still, I mean if people protested against the artificial island and they were able to prevent construction, why didn?t they act the same? Why didn?t the people mobilized against the construction of the metro.
Yes Rick, I'll be waiting for your response
pithy answer, ..
your typical Dominican sees a metro being proposed and thinks modernization (i.e. a la Nueva York) explain the cost or the studies that should have been made public prior to the first pounding he think: too complex ...progreso and modernization a la Nueva York.
Your typical Dominican sees a Metro as a great symbol of progress, regardless of the cost.
P.S, the artificial island was brought down by too many elites been concerned, not by protests coming from the mass.
your typical Dominican sees a metro being proposed and thinks modernization (i.e. a la Nueva York) explain the cost or the studies that should have been made public prior to the first pounding he think: too complex ...progreso and modernization a la Nueva York.
Your typical Dominican sees a Metro as a great symbol of progress, regardless of the cost.
P.S, the artificial island was brought down by too many elites been concerned, not by protests coming from the mass.
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Aegap is entirely correct in that which he posted. It was not the masses that stopped the island it was the elite few that didn?t let other elites get their foot in the door.
The following is my opinion as I see it;
When studying the DR history one thing becomes very clear. This country has always been controlled by an elite few ever since it was first formed. Therefore the people have always been told what to do, how to do it and what to say and how to say it. Living under such conditions a person can very well acquire a fatalistic view of everything and I am of the opinion that this is the case presently as always. It wasn?t until recently, last 12 years, that those that decided that they may be able to change things protested without the fear of death. This fear is still there but not to the extent it was before. Looking back to when Balaguer was in control sure death was a reality if you were part of the opposition. With the improvements being made in human rights the possibility of being wounded is more a certainty then sure death. Because of less risk of death the masses are protesting more.
Be aware that the fear is still there and very strong among the older Dominicans. There are two gentlemen in my community that would make very good politicians and I have been trying for years to convince them to run for office. I?ve even heard a number of their close friends tell them to go for it but they won?t because of their fear. Death may be a part of that fear but there is the certainty in their minds that the rich present politicians will hurt them and or their families. With such feeling being held by honest hard working men how can true change come about?
I will post some quotes and address them as my experience has shown me;
?Most Dominicans protest and loud when they want a lane to be paved? ? In place of the most we should change it to ?some?. Dominicans as a whole are used to bad roads and as most don?t own a vehicle their only experience of the roads is when they ride a motoconcha or other public transportation. With the belief that they can?t change anything they live with what is. Usually when there is a protest for things like roads being paved it is the one that know they will benefit that organize such a protest, ie., public transportation owners, SUV owners and the like and all rich. They may in fact dole out some money to the poor populace to participate but rest assured they are only there for the money and not for the paving.
?Dominicans don't protest to demand better schools? ? The only thing I?ll say to this statement is that it is difficult to even think about protesting against a problem you don?t know exists. Regardless of the fact that it may be publicized the fact remains that most Dominicans have problems with reading and or problems in paying for a newspaper to read. News is not a thing that is watched by these people as a general rule or if they do they don?t absorb that which is published. Proof of this would be to ask an average Dominican a question about world news or even something happening in another city in their own country. If a person is familiar with either it is usually because they heard it from a friend that heard it from a friend making the possibility that the facts of the matter are all out of proportion. The local example I can give you is that before getting my computer I would buy Listin Diario every day and many people would ask to see the sports section. My two friends that I want to run for public office would always ask for the front page so this should tell you something.
?or an increase in the salary of police officers to stem corruption, etc.? ? Now this is so funny that I really had a good laugh over it. The vast majority of all the Dominicans I?ve met in the 11 years that I?ve been here believe that the majority, not all, of the police are the main culprits of corruption and therefore under the belief that they make enough money on what they steal. The thought to pay them more for the privilege of stealing doesn?t compute in their minds.
With this fatalistic attitude it is very difficult for them to envision the fact that they truly have the power in their votes to change things. But even if they did the mere fact that only crooks run for public office always assures that you will only replace a crook with a different crook. Just like in the US, when you have the ability to only vote for idiot 1 or idiot 2 which do you choose?
As to the Metro there are many other choices that could have been made and you only have to look as close as Santiago to notice. Of course there are things like Plan RENOVE that had the opportunity to actually work but it was the elites that divided that cake amongst themselves and along with their mismanagement the vehicles that actually made it to the public transportation sector are presently no good. As all the vehicles that were to be purchased did not get purchased the left over monies, about 5 Billion pesos (that?s a 5 with twelve zeros), got divided up amongst the elite.
Rick
The following is my opinion as I see it;
When studying the DR history one thing becomes very clear. This country has always been controlled by an elite few ever since it was first formed. Therefore the people have always been told what to do, how to do it and what to say and how to say it. Living under such conditions a person can very well acquire a fatalistic view of everything and I am of the opinion that this is the case presently as always. It wasn?t until recently, last 12 years, that those that decided that they may be able to change things protested without the fear of death. This fear is still there but not to the extent it was before. Looking back to when Balaguer was in control sure death was a reality if you were part of the opposition. With the improvements being made in human rights the possibility of being wounded is more a certainty then sure death. Because of less risk of death the masses are protesting more.
Be aware that the fear is still there and very strong among the older Dominicans. There are two gentlemen in my community that would make very good politicians and I have been trying for years to convince them to run for office. I?ve even heard a number of their close friends tell them to go for it but they won?t because of their fear. Death may be a part of that fear but there is the certainty in their minds that the rich present politicians will hurt them and or their families. With such feeling being held by honest hard working men how can true change come about?
I will post some quotes and address them as my experience has shown me;
?Most Dominicans protest and loud when they want a lane to be paved? ? In place of the most we should change it to ?some?. Dominicans as a whole are used to bad roads and as most don?t own a vehicle their only experience of the roads is when they ride a motoconcha or other public transportation. With the belief that they can?t change anything they live with what is. Usually when there is a protest for things like roads being paved it is the one that know they will benefit that organize such a protest, ie., public transportation owners, SUV owners and the like and all rich. They may in fact dole out some money to the poor populace to participate but rest assured they are only there for the money and not for the paving.
?Dominicans don't protest to demand better schools? ? The only thing I?ll say to this statement is that it is difficult to even think about protesting against a problem you don?t know exists. Regardless of the fact that it may be publicized the fact remains that most Dominicans have problems with reading and or problems in paying for a newspaper to read. News is not a thing that is watched by these people as a general rule or if they do they don?t absorb that which is published. Proof of this would be to ask an average Dominican a question about world news or even something happening in another city in their own country. If a person is familiar with either it is usually because they heard it from a friend that heard it from a friend making the possibility that the facts of the matter are all out of proportion. The local example I can give you is that before getting my computer I would buy Listin Diario every day and many people would ask to see the sports section. My two friends that I want to run for public office would always ask for the front page so this should tell you something.
?or an increase in the salary of police officers to stem corruption, etc.? ? Now this is so funny that I really had a good laugh over it. The vast majority of all the Dominicans I?ve met in the 11 years that I?ve been here believe that the majority, not all, of the police are the main culprits of corruption and therefore under the belief that they make enough money on what they steal. The thought to pay them more for the privilege of stealing doesn?t compute in their minds.
With this fatalistic attitude it is very difficult for them to envision the fact that they truly have the power in their votes to change things. But even if they did the mere fact that only crooks run for public office always assures that you will only replace a crook with a different crook. Just like in the US, when you have the ability to only vote for idiot 1 or idiot 2 which do you choose?
As to the Metro there are many other choices that could have been made and you only have to look as close as Santiago to notice. Of course there are things like Plan RENOVE that had the opportunity to actually work but it was the elites that divided that cake amongst themselves and along with their mismanagement the vehicles that actually made it to the public transportation sector are presently no good. As all the vehicles that were to be purchased did not get purchased the left over monies, about 5 Billion pesos (that?s a 5 with twelve zeros), got divided up amongst the elite.
Rick
C
Chip00
Guest
Nals
I was the understanding the Senor Leon was critiquing the aforementioned bride construction so that is why I asked for the original article. I can't in good conscience, nor should any professional engineer for that matter, offer an opinion from information from second hand sources from unqualified people.
It's not that I'm worried about liabilty but given my wealth of experience on the matter 10 times out of 10 when an unqualified person offers an opinion about an engineering topic, whether authored by said person or gotten from a qualified source the end result is ALWAYS different than the reality unfortuantely.
The fact is engineering is a science and a discipline and sometimes "things" that appear to be simple have complex non-intuitive dynamics. That is why after all that to be an engineer one has to spend many years studying advanced math, physics, statics, dynamics and the like.
Chip
I was the understanding the Senor Leon was critiquing the aforementioned bride construction so that is why I asked for the original article. I can't in good conscience, nor should any professional engineer for that matter, offer an opinion from information from second hand sources from unqualified people.
It's not that I'm worried about liabilty but given my wealth of experience on the matter 10 times out of 10 when an unqualified person offers an opinion about an engineering topic, whether authored by said person or gotten from a qualified source the end result is ALWAYS different than the reality unfortuantely.
The fact is engineering is a science and a discipline and sometimes "things" that appear to be simple have complex non-intuitive dynamics. That is why after all that to be an engineer one has to spend many years studying advanced math, physics, statics, dynamics and the like.
Chip
Chip:
I'm not an engineer, but understand what you are saying. if one places a very heavy srtucture on top of non-compacted soil, there will be settling over a period of time. The same principle applies to placing heavy objects over a malable subsurface such as clay. the damned soil shifts under the weight when it gets wet and screws up the whole structure. We both know there are ways to mitigate such and it's my opinion that is what the geologist is referring to. No studieswere made as to the permeability of the subsoils along the projected route of the Metro and in an alluvial deposition over soft limestone, such construction presents the problem of shifting out from under the structures it is supposed to be supporting.
The geologist may be correct andhe also may be raising cain because his expertise wasn't consulted. Who knows about Spanish "machismo" in this matter.
Texas Bill
I'm not an engineer, but understand what you are saying. if one places a very heavy srtucture on top of non-compacted soil, there will be settling over a period of time. The same principle applies to placing heavy objects over a malable subsurface such as clay. the damned soil shifts under the weight when it gets wet and screws up the whole structure. We both know there are ways to mitigate such and it's my opinion that is what the geologist is referring to. No studieswere made as to the permeability of the subsoils along the projected route of the Metro and in an alluvial deposition over soft limestone, such construction presents the problem of shifting out from under the structures it is supposed to be supporting.
The geologist may be correct andhe also may be raising cain because his expertise wasn't consulted. Who knows about Spanish "machismo" in this matter.
Texas Bill
Chip, ingeniero ge?logo Osiris de Le?n is not being totally honest in his continuous criticism of the SD Metro. His motivations for speaking out on the metro are suspect. He apparently has a conflict of interest both political and economical. The fact that he is a credited geologist does not necessarily validate, affirm or credit implicitly all that he publicly states. NALs, or whomever originally made the observation about Mr Le?n's comments about the cement columns in el r?o Isabela, has a good point.
Here is Mr. Osiris de Le?n's words as quoted in Hoy newspaper:
Bienvenidos al Hoy Digital
Note that Mr. Osiris de Le?n affirms this to be the case but did not and has not offered any supporting document or study for his claim concerning sinking columns in el r?o Isabela. ...pull'em out of a hat?
NotLurking
Here is Mr. Osiris de Le?n's words as quoted in Hoy newspaper:
Bienvenidos al Hoy Digital
Note that Mr. Osiris de Le?n affirms this to be the case but did not and has not offered any supporting document or study for his claim concerning sinking columns in el r?o Isabela. ...pull'em out of a hat?
NotLurking
I agree with you; if he cares so much about this issue, then he should definetly do some research and publish it, so that the dominican people know to the extent they got lied and robbed this time.
I'm asking because those newspaper articles are just articles. Can you please supply me with the study made by Osiris de Le?n on the soil of el r?o Isabela where he based (affirms) the comments quoted by me in post #75?
TIA
NotLurking
C
Chip00
Guest
NL thanks - His statement appears to say that the columns failed the load test and the load from the columns themselves already supassed the allowable load of the soils so they had to add the intermediary steel columns.
The only way to know if these columns have sunk is to take elevations of the top of the structure and compare them with the elevation on the plans. This is a very simple verification and for sure has been done. I don't know what the acceptable tolerance is but it probably won't be more than an inch or two - basically invisible to the naked eye.
FYI - bridge columns sinking over time sometimes happens and they just need to figure out if the settling is sufficient or will they need add larger footing areas.
As far as Leon's intention I don't know. One would have to have the as-built elevations of the top of columns and compare it with the construction plans to verify this.
After reading the articles and analyzing the opinions of both sides I still feel this is all too sketchy. I don't understand why Diandino claims that they have the geological and technical studies and doesn?t want to submit it! I don?t buy his argument that the renders shouldn?t be submitted for security reasons; come on, DR we don?t have enemies. If they would at least submit the geological studies, then the press and the opposition would be happy; they would gain more credibility. The fact that the people wouldn?t participate in the decision to undertake this project, there is no website, no pamphlet were the citizen could be informed of whatever they are doing?..its just pretty unreasonable. The president claims that he wants to promote transparency but with his actions, so secretive, it clearly demonstrates that they are hiding something.
On the other hand, I don?t understand the part of the article by Osiri de Leon were he claims that because the ground is seismic, then we shouldn?t build it, because there are countries that are much seismic than the DR and they constantly build structures of this type (I am talking about Japan, Chile, Mexico, Taiwan, ect) and I am assuming that engineers in the DR are talented enough to use anti seismic technology. Another thing that I don?t understand from the opposition to the metro is, that aren?t there things that were opposed before being constructed and haven?t had catastrophic accidents yet? (boulevards, expressways, bridges, viaducts?). While I am not discounting the need for geological studies and based on our knowledge of how public figures are in the DR, I don?t doubt the possibility that the opposition (including Mr. Osiri de Leon) is taking this as an opportunity to promote themselves.
On the other hand, I don?t understand the part of the article by Osiri de Leon were he claims that because the ground is seismic, then we shouldn?t build it, because there are countries that are much seismic than the DR and they constantly build structures of this type (I am talking about Japan, Chile, Mexico, Taiwan, ect) and I am assuming that engineers in the DR are talented enough to use anti seismic technology. Another thing that I don?t understand from the opposition to the metro is, that aren?t there things that were opposed before being constructed and haven?t had catastrophic accidents yet? (boulevards, expressways, bridges, viaducts?). While I am not discounting the need for geological studies and based on our knowledge of how public figures are in the DR, I don?t doubt the possibility that the opposition (including Mr. Osiri de Leon) is taking this as an opportunity to promote themselves.