Yesterday, a road design specialist, engineer Jose Angel Bello presented an alternative solution to the proposed overpass at the intersection of Ortega y Gasset and 27 de Febrero avenues, that would not affect residents and businesses in the El Vergel neighborhood, as reported in Diario Libre. His proposal uses the avenues themselves and part of the Olympic Center, and consists of a three-lane tunnel along the 27 de Febrero East-West direction and an overpass to make the left turn from 27 de Febrero onto Ortega y Gasset. According to Bello, who designed the elevated expressway on 27 de Febrero and modifications of Las America Highway, the cost of his proposal would be about the same as the overpass proposed by the Ministry of Public Works, which is RD$200 million. However, he points out that when you add the cost of property to be expropriated in the Ministry’s proposal, the cost doubles.
El Caribe reports that Public Works Minister Freddy Perez stated that construction of an overpass at the intersection of Ortega y Gasset and 27 de Febrero avenues is still being studied to determine its feasibility. Perez warned the residents in the area that could be affected not to begin constructions trying to speculate for higher values of their properties, as they could lose their investment.