The Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) has stated that, as of now, no definitive decision has been made regarding the potential use of a portion of the Botanical Garden for the road expansion.
Addis Burgos, the MOPC’s head of communications, explained that open discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Environment, which is responsible for conducting the legally required environmental impact study.
“Some plans were found that were not produced under the direction of the current minister and have been submitted for environmental studies. No decision will be made that is not environmentally approved,” Burgos stated.
She added that the Ministry of Public Works is not pursuing any projects from previous administrations that cause social unrest.
For several years, the Avenida República de Colombia has been overwhelmed by exorbitant vehicular traffic, a housing boom, and the proliferation of commercial centers, making it one of the three main traffic bottlenecks in the National District.
A study by the National District Territorial Planning Plan confirms that the northern zone has experienced the highest demographic growth, tripling its population in the last 30 years. Additionally, the avenue is home to approximately 2,000 commercial establishments.
Another factor worsening the situation on the narrow lanes of Avenida República de Colombia is the circulation of heavy vehicles crossing from Avenida Jacobo Majluta to Monumental or Sol Poniente. This creates long lines of vehicles extending to the Botanical Garden, with no viable escape routes.
Furthermore, businesses like gas stations and commercial centers obstruct the road with the creation of crossings and turnarounds, designed to facilitate customer access.
Additionally, Avenida República de Colombia and Avenida Jacobo Majluta receive an extra burden from daily visitors to the United States Embassy, further increasing local traffic pressure.
Those who oppose using the area of the Botanical Gardens to make way for the increased traffic of the Avenida de Colombia say there are alternatives.
César Rodríguez, a member of the Dominican Environmental Consortium, believes that expanding Avenida República de Colombia is not the solution. Instead, he suggests focusing on projects that would improve traffic flow at the intersections with Avenidas Los Próceres and Carlos Pérez Ricart, where he says the most significant congestion occurs.
As part of the solution, the government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), began work on expanding the road from Avenida Jacobo Majluta, starting from the Duarte highway (Prolongación 27 de Febrero) to Avenida Los Próceres. This project is being funded by resources from the renegotiation of the contract with Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom).
The road expansion will stretch for approximately 10 kilometers and will include a new express trunk road, featuring the construction of a 580-meter tunnel. This tunnel would emerge in front of the Botanical Garden and is expected to benefit over 1.4 million residents in the northern part of the National District.
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El Dia
Diario Libre
10 July 2025