Minister of Public Works Miguel Vargas told El Siglo newspaper that the construction of the Aeropuerto International La Isabela in northern Santo Domingo will be postponed until a private partner is found to take up the project. The project was intended to be operational in April 2000, but at the end the Fernández government abandoned it as there was no time for its completion. The idea is to replace the Herrera International Airport in Santo Domingo. Vargas told El Siglo that the construction of the new airport by the state is a contradiction at a time when the leading airports are being privatized. He favored a private company taking over the completion of the airport. He said this would enable the airport to enter into operation sooner, as the state does not have the resources needed. When construction of the airport was announced, the Ministry of Public Works estimated its cost at RD$300 million. Vargas says that the construction has already consumed upwards of RD$600 million. He said an additional RD$500 million is needed to complete it. Vargas said that the government would finish the reconstruction of the Avenida Jacobo Majluta, for which RD$220 million is needed. The completion of the leading accessway is essential for the operation of Isabela Airport. He said the government would also build several traffic distributors leading to the airport. The Isabela Airport, located in El Higuero, Villa Mella, will have a 1.65 kilometers by 45 meters wide runway, that can be expanded to three kilometers in a second phase. (1 September 2000)
