The Juan Pablo II toll highway from Santo Domingo to Samana continues to cost taxpayers too much with the state having to pay RD$2.27 billion last year, an increase of RD$933 million compared to the previous year. That highway was the first and last time that the Dominican government resorted to building a highway by concession.
This money goes to the Colombian company, Autopista del Nordeste that was awarded the concession contract during the President Leonel Fernandez government to manage the tollbooths for 30 years. The contract stipulates that when traffic falls below estimates the government needs to pay the difference. The rising cost of the tolls is a deterrent to Dominicans traveling to Samana on the highway.
Traveling to Samana and back from Santo Domingo on the toll road now costs RD$1,876.00 at the four tollbooths.
The new fees are RD$53 at the first toll booth, for cars and SUVs, RD$174 at the second, RD$204 at the third and RD$507 at the fourth. Minibuses pay RD$106, RD$344, RD$423 and RD$1,032.
Buses and trucks with two axles will pay RD$133, RD$458, RD$550 and RD$1,345, and with three or more axles RD$199, RD$635, RD$780 and RD$1,901.
Motorcyclists do not pay to cross the tolls.
www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2014/02/05/i468571_otorgan-santo-domingo-saman-subsidio-rd2-272-millones.html