The Ministry of Housing and Edifications (Mivhed) has commenced demolition activities on 9th Street in the Los Praditos slum neighborhood of Santo Domingo. This initiative is part of a broader urban and road integration project designed to enhance traffic mobility and reclaim public spaces within the capital city. The interventions seek to benefit east-west traffic and north-south traffic in the capital city and quality of life in the Los Praditos area.
According to Mivhed, the project offers a structural solution to the increasing congestion and disorganized urban growth that has historically impacted the area’s layout. Housing Minister Victor (Ito) Bisonó reported that the works are projected to last 18 months with a total investment of RD$150 million.
“We are reclaiming spaces for the people and ensuring that essential services, such as ambulances or emergency units, can access the area without difficulty,” Minister Victor (Ito) Bisonó stated.
The extension of Calle 6 in Los Praditos is a central component of the newly launched “Los Praditos se Conecta” project, announced in late April 2026. This initiative aims to complete a vital north-south corridor by linking residential and commercial zones that were previously disconnected by informal urban growth.
The redevelopment plan includes the following key interventions:
• Calle 6 will be connected with the Heriberto Núñez, benefiting east-west traffic.
• Calle 9 and Calle 11: Structural interventions to widen the roadway and improve pedestrian access.
Details of the initial roadworks are:
• Calle 6 extension: The current plan involves the expansion and extension of Calle 6 to facilitate direct access to Avenida Doctor Fernando Alberto Defilló. This is critical because Calle 6 previously ended abruptly, forcing traffic into narrow, often impassable alleys.
• Heriberto Nuñez connection: By unifying and widening internal roads (specifically Streets 9 and 11), the project will enable to connect Avenida Olof Palme with Calle Heriberto Núñez. This creates a bypass that allows vehicles traveling north on Dr. Defilló to transition smoothly toward the Kennedy corridor without being diverted to Avenida Winston Churchill or Avenida Núñez de Cáceres.
• North-South completion: Once fully completed, a driver will be able to take Avenida Dr. Defilló (which originates near the Mirador Sur area and Anacaona), pass through the newly widened sections of Los Praditos via Calle 6 and the Heriberto Nuñez connection, and emerge directly into the industrial and commercial heart of Avenida John F. Kennedy.
The Mayor of the National District, Carolina Mejía, highlighted the urban impact of the project, noting that improved connectivity directly correlates to a better quality of life and enhanced commercial access for the local community.
While the project has received general support from local business owners, there are growing concerns regarding the 18-month construction timeline. Miguel Paulino, a local merchant, expressed that while the community recognizes the importance of the expansion, many business owners are seeking financial assistance or formal dialogue with Mivhed to prevent economic insolvency during the works.
Minister Bisonó indicated that demolitions are currently proceeding progressively, prioritizing properties where legal and financial agreements have already been reached with the owners.
Follow the story in Spanish:
Ministry of Housing and Edifications
Diario Libre
Noticias SIN
RD Desde Arriba 1080
29 April 2026