Luis Abinader opens Plaza de la Bandera tunnel to ease Santo Domingo traffic
President Luis Abinader inaugurated a 1.2‑kilometre, four‑lane tunnel beneath the Plaza de la Bandera in Santo Domingo on Sunday. The underground passage links Avenida Gregorio Luperón with the northern and southern corridors, allowing traffic to bypass the long‑standing bottleneck at the intersection of Avenida 27 de Febrero and Luperón.
The tunnel, built for an estimated RD $3.3 billion, can handle about 2,500 vehicles per hour and includes modern ventilation, LED lighting, 24‑hour video surveillance, fire‑suppression systems and emergency power. Funding came from the renegotiated concession contract with Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI.
The opening ceremony, attended by First Lady Raquel Arbaje, featured remarks from the president emphasizing reduced travel times, lower fuel consumption and improved road safety. Youth Minister Carlos Valdez later highlighted the project's expected boost to quality of life for thousands of commuters and greater connectivity for the southern region.