Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo announced the construction of the Bani bypass would start in September 2014. The highway would pass by the south of the province to serve new tourism developments in the area. He made planned for the area. The road would detour traffic headed past Bani from passing through the city.
Castillo told Listin Diario that the bypass has been discussed for 25 years. He said the Medina government would complete it. As reported, recently President Medina overflew the area to learn about the different route options.
Castillo was in the area supervising advances on the construction of the Southern Corridor that includes stretches in Peravia, Azua, Barahona and San Juan de la Maguana provinces in the Southwest.
The works include improvements to the stretch from Bani to Azua (43.7 km), Azua to Km. 15 Azua (13.51 km), Km. 15 Azua to Barahona (58 km), Km. 15 Azua to the entrance to San Juan de la Maguana (63 km).
Castillo highlighted that the road improvements will benefit farming, industry and passenger transport. He said funds are from the Inter American Develoment Bank (IDB) and the contractor is Constructora Rizek.
Road improvements are expected to enhance safety on the today two-lane connection to the southwest. On Saturday, 12 July, five persons died in a tragic accident. Another 34 persons were injured. A pickup, with a reportedly drunk driver, made a reckless pass, causing the clash of a freight truck and a Caribe Tours bus early in the morning, as reported in Listin Diario. The drivers of all three vehicles died in the triple crash. The bus was covering the route of Sato Domingo to San Juan de la Maguana.
The highway expansion is expected to reduce accidents.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/7/13/329688/En-septiembre-comienza-Circunvalacion-de-Bani
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/7/12/329520/Cinco-muertos-y-unos-34-heridos-en-choque-Bani