In an interview with Diario Libre, the Director of Transit of the Ministry of Public Works, Luis Estrella, admitted that the high number of flashing yellow lights at many intersections in Greater Santo Domingo can be attributed to the government’s tardiness in reimbursing Icontrolt Global Capital, the private contractor hired by the government to maintain the traffic lights in the city. The company says the arrears impede them to purchase materials needed to repair traffic signals. Several traffic lights at critical intersections are set to flashing yellow lights even at peak traffic hours during the day.
“The private company that has the contract with Public Works to repair and maintain traffic lights has reported that needed spare parts are no longer in stock. And the company needs to receive payment so that it can restock the parts. “The reality is (or appears to be), that the government is in arrears in the payment to the company which has resulted in a shortage of parts,” Estrella said.
Estrella assured the newspaper that the disbursements have already been approved by the Controller General Office and, by Tuesday, Icontrolt Global Capital will receive the payment. “The company has committed to reinstate the service no later than Wednesday, 4 November 2015”, Estsrella added.
The situation has worsened the already critical traffic jams in Santo Domingo.