Work continues at a steady pace on the renovation of the western and eastern banks of the Ozama River, in order to create an attraction for cruise ships passengers and other tourists as well as a recreation area for the city’s residents. The expansion of the Avenida del Puerto, the attractive boulevard that borders the colonial city on the banks of the Ozama River is well advanced, with its completion expected in February.
The avenue is in its final stage and will link traffic to the Francisco del Rosario Sanchez and the Juan Pablo Duarte bridges, the latter being currently under repair by British engineers. On 6 January, the government opened avenues along the eastern side, vantage points with views of the colonial city, and a Monument to Sugar Cane, and also part of this major Santo Domingo development by the Balaguer Administration.
The project has involved the removing shacks and shanties of over 1,500 low income families that have lived for years along the river’s banks, which are subject to flooding, and contributing to the pollution of the waters.
The Avenida del Puerto on the western bank also connects traffic from the Juan Pablo Duarte bridge to the Malecón, the site of several of the city’s principal hotels. The remodelling is part of the Organization of American States project, the Plan Cuna de las Américas, that many years ago planned the construction of the Avenida del Puerto, the Columbus Lighthouse as well as the building of breakwaters that would result in both the expansion and improving the safety of swimmers using the Sans Souci beach.
Studies for the latter have been carried out by the French company, Sogreah, but the project has yet to be realized. Proyectos Civiles y Marítimos, Procimar, is in charge of the construction of the Avenida del Puerto and the Santo Domingo cruise ship terminal.