The Ministry of Public Works announced it has distributed RD$508 million among contractors of several important public works that were budgeted in the 2001 National Budget but were on hold or proceeding at a slow pace because of lack of funding. The money was allotted to the new Duarte Bridge (RD$30 million, to be completed December 2001)), the Santiago-Navarrete highway (RD$100 million, to be completed February 2002); expansion of Las Americas to Avenida San Vicente de Paul and Puente San Carlos, RD$55 million). Autovia del Este (RD$30 million, to be completed February 2002). Reconstruction Santiago-San Jose de las Matas highway (RD$15 million, to be completed first half 2002). RD$85 million was assigned to the reconstruction and paving of highways, rural roads and streets nationwide, and RD$93.9 million to matching funds for loans signed with multilateral lending organizations.
