The Technical Secretary of the Presidency, Tem?stocles Mont?s, announced this week the formal solicitation of bids for the construction of the first segment of the overhead tramway planned for Santo Domingo. Bids for the construction project will be accepted during March, and the winner will be announced in May so that work can begin this summer. Government engineers estimate the first segment of the tramway – to run along Avenida John F. Kennedy — could be completed within 10 months of groundbreaking. The tramway project was announced during President Fern?ndez’s recent European trip, when French financing was secured for the project. As envisioned, the tram would commence at Kilometer 9 on the Duarte Highway, run the length of Avenida John F. Kennedy until it reaches the elevated portion, follow Avenida San Mart?n to reach Avenida 27 de Febrero near the Braulio Alvarez Park, and pass along Avenida Duarte until stopping at the S?nchez bridge. Fern?ndez Government officials hope to have the first segment finished and opened and the second segment started before President Fern?ndez leaves office in August 2000.
