After senator and transport kingpin Antonio Marte (Conatra) met with the new director of the National Institute of Transport and Transit (Intrant), Milton Morrison, the Ministry of Public Works has announced it will be continuing with the plans to build 14 lanes in the vicinity of the government-owned green area where Marte built and has operated for years with government lenience his Km 9 transport depot.
Diario Libre reports that Morrison and Marte discussed temporary solutions for the Km 9 Duarte Highway bus stop.
The government is exploring a temporary solution for the bus terminal at kilometer 9 of the Duarte Highway by constructing a two-level metal structure adjacent to the current terminal while negotiations for the acquisition of a nearby plot of land continue.
According to Onéximo González, the engineer overseeing the expansion project at kilometer 9 for the Ministry of Public Works, five potential solutions to relocate the terminal have been proposed, but no agreement has been reached.
González revealed that negotiations are underway with transportation entrepreneur Antonio Marte and other investors in the consortium led by Marte who is also the senator of Santiago Rodríguez. As reported, all parties recognize the necessity of relocating the bus stop. A pedestrian walkway will be constructed at the site to connect the north and south sections of the Duarte Highway at kilometer 9.
The engineer explained that the existing structure is in poor condition and that building a temporary structure is the most practical solution. The feasibility of constructing or relocating the terminal has been hindered by the need for mutual agreement between the government and Antonio Marte due to the terminal’s value and the tradition of many passengers from the Cibao region that use the terminal installed on the green area.
González affirmed that negotiations for the acquisition of land for a permanent terminal are well advanced. Once the relocation is complete, the temporary structure will be dismantled, and the area will be landscaped.
Marte, president of the National Confederation of Transportation (Conatra), has invited Morrison to accompany him on a visit to the kilometer 9 construction site next Monday, 29 July 2024.
Recently, transportation entrepreneur Antonio Marte had stated that despite the ongoing expansion work at kilometer 9, the terminal Conatra operates will remain in its current location.
Once the bus stop is relocated, the present temporary structure will be removed and the area will be landscaped.
Read more:
Diario Libre
El Gobierno de la Mañana interview with Antonio Marte
DR1 News
25 July 2024