A strong landslide in a section of the highway between Barahona and Pedernales, particularly between San Rafael and La Ciénaga communities, has blocked the passage. Ministry of Public Works officials fear restoring traffic could take several days.
The landslide occurred early on Monday, 25 September 2023 at the point known as El Derrumbao. Several landslides have occurred there in the past, but this is said to have been the worst.
According to the regional director of the Ministry of Public Works, Ezequiel Amador, the landslide could have been due to the large amount of water accumulated in the mountains due to continuing heavy rains and the works already underway to expand this road.
Meanwhile, the provincial director of Civil Defense, Carlos Confidente, told the press that the situation is more complicated than it seems so the restoration work could last several days.
As a result of the obstruction, several vehicles heading to southwestern coastal areas in Pedernales province were stranded for several hours.
Public Works Minister Deligne Ascención traveled to the site on Monday and said work is ongoing to provide a definitive solution to the landslides.
MOPC brigades are working on rehabilitating the passage along the San Rafael highway. Ascencion toured the area accompanied by technicians and contractors from the companies that carry out road reconstruction work.
He said that situations like these occur frequently and that the Ministry seeks to prevent these given they may cause a tragedy.
Going from Barahona to Pedernales is still possible, but a detour to Bahoruco along roads between hills needs to be made. This adds about two more hours to the journey.
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El Dia
26 September 2023