Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo says that the government is making progress on the preparation of an environmental impact assessment, budget and route for the proposed new highway linking San Juan de la Maguana with San Jose de las Matas (Cibao-Sur highway). He said that travelers from the southwest to the Cibao would not have to drive through Santo Domingo. At present there are six other possible connections, but these roads need repairs. Former Minister of Environment Frank Moya strongly advised that one of the roads be repaired, arguing it would benefit population centers and would not damage the environment as a new road would. But the Medina administration has decided not to make the repairs and continues to insist on the mega investment of a new route.
As reported in El Dia, Castillo said that the tender would probably be held between August and October. He said the government has decided against building tunnels under the central mountains. He said so far the better options are a northerly route, with a turn to the east afterwards in order to minimize the effect on the J. Armando Bermudez National Park. He argues that the environment will benefit because the highway will make reforestation work possible.
However, geographer Jose Ramon Martinez Batlle recently published a study on the way that highway construction in the Bahoruco National Park has led to major deforestation as it makes it easier for people to access forest areas.
Environmentalists say that the government’s true intention behind the highway is to facilitate mining operations. Environmentalists also warn that the construction, which would cross through three national parks, would affect the Sabaneta and Moncion dams.
Presentación de la charla «Carretera Cibao-Sur: todas las propuestas, sólo una compatible»