President Luis Abinader opened the first 1,043 meters of the 3.3 km Paseo del Rio Avenue to the general public in the Nuevo Domingo Savio urban renewal project. The short stretch is too little to be used as a road, but makes for a pleasant afternoon stroll and definitely gives a clear idea of what is coming. The short stretch with good riverside views already helps people understand the importance of preserving the Ozama River.
Residents in the Los Guandules, La Ciénaga and Gualey slum areas now have access to the riverside avenue, with the first public spaces for recreation. The Paseo del Rio Avenue project encompasses the construction of park areas, playgrounds, a children’s baseball stadium, sports fields, wide sidewalks and green spaces for recreation.
The initiative began in the past Danilo Medina administration. President Abinader said that he is a believer in continuity in the works of the state that bring direct benefits to the people. The work was carried out by the Unidad Ejectora para la Readecuación de Barrios y Entornos (Urbe). 1,727 families were relocated. Those who are staying will receive property titles.
“This work was always of my special liking and support. Even when I was a presidential candidate, I supported this work,” he said. The work was begun four years ago and ended up costing RD$1.6 billion for the first phase. A polytechnic school is planned as part of the second phase.
President Abinader said Los Guandules, La Cienega and Gualey residents are the direct beneficiaries, but people living in the entire Greater Santo Domingo stand to gain.
Concurrently, he said the Santo Domingo Aqueduct and Sewerage Corporation (CAASD) is working on the solution of 25 ravines, 40% of all the ravines of Greater Santo Domingo that flow into the Ozama River. He said this effort is essential to improve the river water quality.
The opened road section starts a few meters from the foundations of the Francisco del Rosario Sánchez bridge and ends at Cañada de Bonavides. The complete project will have a length of 3.3 kilometers, with four lanes. Once completed, there will be spaces for bus parking, wide sidewalks with benches and an exclusive area for bicycle lanes. It will facilitate passengers riding the Santo Domingo metro and skylift services.
The overall objective is that the day may come when people can swim and fish in the river waters. The river divides east and west Santo Domingo. The government is contemplating something similar, perhaps of a smaller size, on the east bank of the Ozama River.
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Presidency
El Dia
El Dia
7 December 2021