Tourism expert Juan Lladó writes in Acento on the potential and possibilities for the Malecón (the George Washington Avenue), the boulevard that runs for 14 kms alongside the south of the capital city.
Lladó says architectural groups have presented several doable projects that would give the sea-bordering city its real worth as the most important attraction of Santo Domingo’s city.
He says step one is for the government to ensure that trucks use the Santo Domingo bypass that was opened in March 2020. The road crosses the city to the north and cost RD$19.9 billion. Truck traffic from the north or southwest can avoid entering the city as it heads to the southeast, yet it is not being used as expected. Lladó remarks there are talks of reducing the tolls on the road to motivate its use. There is a city ordinance that orders trucks to stay out of the city, but these do not respect the order, and prefer crossing the city via the Malecón.
Lladó also comments on several projects suggested by leading architects that could be carried out through the new public-private partnership act. Among these he mentions the bridge that would connect to the Avenida España on the east side of the Ozama River, a walkway from Montesinos to Lincoln Avenue. He also mentions creating pools on the southside for the safe recreation of citizens.
The Malecón has been a national park status since 1968.
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29 March 2021