The Ministry of Public Works has resumed the construction of the Avenida Circunvalacion Norte, the highway that would detour traffic headed north from the city center of Santiago. The highway would cut traveling time to Puerto Plata, for instance, by at half an hour at peak traffic times. Once completed, the trip to Puerto Plata from Santo Domingo could be completed in less than three hours. The detouring of traffic will also increase the quality of life in Santiago. Public Works Minister Freddy Perez said that the highway will cost RD$6 billion, will have 30 kilometers and six lanes. The construction includes several overpasses. The highway had been started during the first Fernandez administration (1996-2000), but the Mejia government did not consider it a priority.