In ceremonies yesterday to present the first government checks for public works for Santiago, President Fern?ndez announced an expansion of the list of works the central government intends to underwrite for the DR’s second largest city. The Ministry of Public Works had already announced that the Fern?ndez government will be investing RD$400 million in public for Santiago, including (1) the construction of the Avenida de Circunvalaci?n (Beltway), that will detour traffic bound to Puerto Plata and northern cities that today has to pass through the congested center of the city; (2) expansion of the Santiago-Navarrete highway (leading onto Puerto Plata) from two to four lanes; (3) the construction of three city health centers; (4) the reconstruction of the Olympic Pool of the Pontificia Universidad Cat?lica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM).Yesterday the President revealed several more projects that bear striking similarities to those now being completed in Santo Domingo. These include: (1) overpasses for the intersections of the Rotunda de Santiago with Navarrete and Avenida Estrella Sadhal? with Juan Pablo Duarte (the latter links Santiago with Licey Al Medio), plus overpasses for several parts of the Duarte Highway; (2) two tunnels for the intersection of Avenida Estrella Sadhal? with Duarte Highway and with Avenida Monumental. Taken together, declared Fern?ndez, these projects should create a more aesthetically pleasing and modern look to Santiago.
