Dominican Republic road infrastructure plan faces political criticism

road infrastructure traffic safety mobility policy highway construction road fatalities

The Dominican Republic government is advancing a major road infrastructure plan aimed at improving national connectivity and reducing travel times. Minister of Public Works Eduardo Estrella reported that the initiative includes the construction of five bypasses, hundreds of bridges, and various overpasses and underpasses. Key projects include creating signal-free entries to the capital and connecting major regions like Punta Cana and Montecristi through a network of elevated roads and reorganized intersections.

However, the political party Fuerza del Pueblo has criticized the government's mobility policy. Mario Holguín, head of the party's Road Safety Secretariat, argued that infrastructure investments should not be measured solely by kilometers of road or bridges built. He emphasized that a successful policy must prioritize reducing road fatalities and serious injuries, asserting that “an infrastructure that allows one to arrive faster but does not guarantee arriving alive cannot constitute the final objective of a public mobility policy.” Holguín called for greater transparency regarding the use of international financing and urged the government to focus on pedestrian and motorcyclist protection.

Entities

Dominican Republic · Eduardo Estrella · Fuerza del Pueblo · Héctor Acosta · Mario Holguín · Ministry of Public Works and Communications · Secretaría de Seguridad Vial de la Fuerza del Pueblo

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The government reported 957 kilometers of roads under construction. guayacanalrd.com · lan103fm.com · pasoapaso.com.do
[● 3 SOURCES] Holguín demanded results regarding the reduction of deaths and serious injuries on roads. guayacanalrd.com · lan103fm.com · pasoapaso.com.do
[● 3 SOURCES] The government reported the construction of 220 bridges. guayacanalrd.com · lan103fm.com · pasoapaso.com.do
[● 3 SOURCES] Mario Holguín criticized the government's mobility policy, arguing that infrastructure should prioritize safety over speed. guayacanalrd.com · lan103fm.com · pasoapaso.com.do