The man responsible for the development of the Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET) into a highly respected transit force in its first years, Hamlet Hermann proposed yesterday that the government undertake seven projects to resolve the north-south transport problems of the city of Santo Domingo instead of the construction of a first metro line. Hermann has forecast the first line of metro could easily cost US$1 billion, three times its projected cost. He says that the seven projects could be undertaken with just the cost of one kilometer of underground metro. Sectors dispute that the timing is right to take on the loans that would be needed to build the metro. Hermann said that regardless of how modern a project can be, he would never back having to cut education and health budgets to pay for this.
In a talk at the Consejo Economico, Social e Institucional yesterday he highlighted that the first thing that people have to understand is that the National District (Santo Domingo) is practically an island surrounded by rivers ? Haina, Isabela, Ozama and the Caribbean Sea. He says that integral solutions to the city need to be found.
He told his audience that while it is true that the country will continue to demand other solutions in the future, the decisions need to be part of a comprehensive strategic plan, and not fruit of a proposal that he says at this time has nothing to do with scientific reasoning.
He said that since 1990 four major transport studies have been carried out that should serve as base for transport solutions in metropolitan Santo Domingo.
From the conclusions of the studies, he proposes:
The extension of Calle Albert Thomas from Juan Bosch bridge to Villa Mella.
The linking of Dr. Delgado and Maria de Toledo street to communicate the Malecon with Isabela River.
The extension of Calle Ortega y Gasset from Malecon Center to Villa Mella so that this avenue can run parallel to Maximo Gomez.
The reopening of the Alma Mater that bisects the state university (UASD) so that it continues on to the Malecon.
Expansion of the Dr. Defillo from the Malecon to Duarte Avenue.
Expansion of the Avenida Privada from the Miramar to Km. 9 of Duarte Highway.
Expansion of the Calle Isabel Aguiar from Avenida Independencia to Duarte Highway so that it becomes twin to decongestion the Avenida Luperon traffic.