Senator for Samana Ramiro Espino announced that Ferrovial, a Spanish company, in association with an unnamed Dominican engineering firm, will build an expressway to Samaná. Construction will start this year, according to Minister of Public Works Miguel Vargas. The expressway would shorten the distance from Santo Domingo to Samaná to 105 kilometers, down from an estimated 270 kilometers at present. Those driving to Samaná from Santo Domingo have to detour West before heading East. The highway investment would be financed by the payment of tolls by users of the expressway. Espino said that the highway would not pass through any town on the way. The highway would end in Rincón de Limonillo. He also said the government has committed to complete the Samaná-Limón-Las Terrenas highway. Also that of Tesón-El Valle and La Galera-Rincón de la Galera. Also on the Ministry of Public Works agenda is the paving of the Los Cacao road and the construction of the Samaná boulevard. (11 September 2000)
