By: Jonatan Contrerass
Monte Plata. – Transportation organizations in this province demanded that the central government and the Ministry of Public Works and Communications urgently intervene in the Yamasá–Santo Domingo road section, denouncing that approximately 29 kilometers are in deplorable and impassable conditions.
During a press conference led by Fernando Araujo, president of the Yamasá Transportation Association, sector representatives made it clear that they are not requesting temporary solutions, but rather the total reconstruction of the road, with a new asphalt layer and its expansion, due to the increasing flow of buses, cars, trucks, and flatbed trucks.
Carriers also questioned the installation of metal guardrails in some sections, calling the road “the death corridor,” considering that these structures reduce the margin of maneuver and increase the risk of accidents.
“When a driver faces any situation, they have no margin for reaction. They can only entrust themselves to God,” Araujo expressed.
From his side, Santo Porfirio Lima Bueno, president of the Union of Truckers and Heavy Equipment of Yamasá, recalled that this road is among the most important of the national road system, which is why he described as unacceptable the state of abandonment in which it is found.
He indicated that a high volume of heavy vehicles, public transport, and private units circulate daily, making its expansion essential to guarantee road safety.
He also denounced that, although landowners have ceded spaces to facilitate the expansion of the road, the placement of guardrails on the current limits prevents the use of said areas.
Transportation representatives stated that for years they have made multiple requests without obtaining concrete answers from the authorities.
In that sense, they warned that they will grant a period of between 15 and 20 days to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications to offer a solution; otherwise, they do not rule out paralyzing transportation in the province as a pressure measure.
However, they assured that any day of protest will be announced in advance, in order not to affect the citizens who depend daily on this route to travel to Santo Domingo for work and personal reasons.
In the activity, the deputy Román de Jesús was also present, who supported the claim and maintained that the road was designed for a much lower vehicular volume than the one it currently supports.
The organizations reiterated that the intervention and expansion of this road is an urgent need to preserve lives, protect vehicles, and improve mobility throughout the province.
