Public Works Minister Eduardo Estrella during the Monday, 27 October 2025 press conference, provided clarity regarding a crack that appeared on the recently inaugurated Baní Beltway following Tropical Storm Melissa. He assured the public that the damage is minor and is being promptly repaired by the contractor.
The 20-kilometer highway, which had faced years of delays, was officially opened last August 2025. A section sustained damage after the recent heavy rains. Videos and images of the crack circulated on social media and in local news outlets, prompting public criticism and concern given the short time since the road’s completion.
Speaking during the weekly press conference, “LA Semanal con la Prensa,” Estrella downplayed the incident, characterizing the issue as an “opening” rather than a severe structural failure.
“To give you an idea, on a 20-kilometer highway, it was a small crack, 45 meters long,” he explained.
Estrella confirmed that the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) immediately contacted the contractor, who quickly mobilized to address the necessary corrections.
• Repair Scope: The minister stated that work is currently underway, breaking up a 60 meter section to repair the damage under MOPC supervision.
• Cause: He attributed the specific failure to the protective layer on the slopes (taludes), which utilizes a plant called vetiver for binding and stabilization. “It seems that in that specific area, the root had not taken hold well, having been so recently planted, and since they were torrential waters, it had this small mishap,” Estrella noted.
• Severity: He stressed, “It is not a major situation to worry about.”
Estrella further revealed that the contractor “immediately complied with making the corrections” and is currently on-site.
The Minister emphasized a crucial point regarding the project’s accountability: the Baní Beltway has not yet been officially handed over from the contractor to the Ministry of Public Works.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
La Semanal 27 October 2025
29 October 2025