Soeci wants to see environmental impact study for Ambar Highway

[Dolores]

The Abinader administration announced that it will be using the Public-Private Partnership mechanism under Law 47-20 to build the 35-km short cut from Santiago to Puerto Plata. The route will reduce to half hour the time to get to Puerto Plata from Santiago and brings to just two hours the drive time from capital city, Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata.

The Cibao Ecological Society (Soeci) says it needs to review the environmental impact study before giving its opinion on the new express road. Belgica Rodríguez, vice president for the environmental ONG, says that the road would need to cut through the northern mountain rain and the Septentrional fault.

Read more in Spanish:Diario Libre

15 September 2020

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[CristoRey]

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How much more of this beautiful country are they
willing to gut in the name of progress? How many
people are going to be moved off their land? They haven't
even finished the mountain road that runs from Guarabo
to Montellano. Hey Luis, while your team is in the process
of carving out a straight line, why not add a train?

 

[cavok]

I mentioned this in another post. The "ruta touristica" basically parallels this proposed new highway and is already 2/3's complete. Only 11 miles unfinished. This could be completed in less than a year (Hwy 5 from Sosua to Cabarete, about 11 miles, was done in about 3-4 months) and could be completed for a fraction of the cost and would serve immediate needs and help tourism on the north coast much sooner.

 

[Meemselle]

Who knew that EIS even exists here?

 

[TropicalPaul]

It always takes 2 hours from the capital to Santiago. Then at least 30 mins to cross Santiago on the new beltway. How can it possibly take 2 hours from the capital to Puerto Plata when this road is complete? You'd have to be driving way too fast to do that.

 

[badpiece33]

Build it, Dream come true

 

[Ecoman1949]

The previous government pretty much turned a deaf ear and blind eye to impact studies related to major infrastructure projects such as the Maimon Cruise ship facility and coastal tourism developments. This road project is a former government legacy the new government is stuck with and will be under pressure to complete. I’m surprised and pleased SOECI is voicing their concerns at a public level. It may be a good omen for future Impact assessment of infrastructure development if the new government puts mitigation measures in place to accommodate their wishes. Maybe this is the dawn of a new way of governing in the DR. If it is, I’d like to see a full assessment done of the entire DR coastline and a proper, enforced, long term coastal development plan.

 

[windeguy]

I would like to see the road built. Maybe it will actually happen.

 

[Dolores]

The Amber Highway pre-dates the Medina administration. Remember Puerto Plata was the first Dominican multi-resort destination. The shortcut highway has been promoted for years by the Playa Dorada Hotel & Condominium Association in its effort to compete against Punta Cana. It is not a new project. The today Administrative Minister of the Presidency is Jose Ignacio Paliza, formerly senator for Puerto Plata and a member of a prominent Puerto Plata family.

I would think the environmental impact study will be carried out by a professional firm given that there is much social pressure for things to be done right now.