The Dominican government plans to invest RD$53,590 million in road infrastructure across Santiago and the northern region between now and 2028, aiming to improve connectivity and cut travel times, according to an announcement made during a weekly government briefing.
The funds will be channeled through the Fideicomiso RD Vial (RD Vial Trust) and executed by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), the country's road-building authority.
The announcement came during La Agenda Semanal, a weekly public presentation led by President Luis Abinader, held in Santiago, the Dominican Republic's second-largest city and the main urban center of the northern Cibao region. Officials said a portfolio of projects worth more than RD$42,800 million is already under execution in the area.
Among the leading works are the expansion of the Autopista Duarte highway, the Navarrete Bypass, the Amber Highway, the San Francisco de Macorís Bypass, and the reconstruction and widening of the Jarabacoa-La Vega road.
Hostos Rizik Lugo, general director of the Fideicomiso RD Vial, said during the presentation that the interventions form part of a strategy to build an integrated road network across the Cibao region, rather than developing works in isolation.
Amber Highway the flagship project
The Autovía del Ámbar, or Amber Highway, is considered the leading project in the portfolio. The corridor will directly connect Santiago with Puerto Plata, a city on the country's north coast known for its beaches and tourism industry, and carries an awarded contract worth RD$28,000 million.
Officials said RD$5,780 million has been disbursed so far as an advance payment. Another RD$11,520 million is scheduled for 2027 and a similar amount for 2028, leaving RD$23,040 million pending execution over those two years.
According to authorities, the project already has a signed contract, an advance payment and a work camp in place. Public hearings have concluded, while permitting, land acquisition, design work and geotechnical studies continue. Physical construction is expected to begin this year, with three simultaneous work fronts.
Duarte Highway expansion
The expansion of the Autopista Duarte, the country's main highway linking Santo Domingo to the Cibao region, has received RD$20,748 million in executed investment between 2021 and 2026, according to the government.
Completing the scheduled work will require another RD$5,518 million during the remainder of 2026 and RD$14,290.92 million in 2027, for a total of RD$19,808.92 million still pending. The project also includes elevated overpasses at kilometers 17, 22 and 28, designed to improve traffic flow and access to the Cibao region.
Navarrete Bypass in three stages
The Circunvalación de Navarrete, or Navarrete Bypass, is divided into three separate projects. Navarrete I has RD$328.72 million pending for 2026 and RD$190.55 million for 2027, totaling RD$519.27 million.
Navarrete II has RD$1,700.34 million pending this year and RD$462.09 million for 2027, for a total of RD$2,162.43 million. Navarrete III has RD$1,786.33 million pending in 2026 and RD$394.52 million in 2027, totaling RD$2,180.85 million.
Authorities said the bypass will strengthen Santiago's connection with the Línea Noroeste region and the town of Manzanillo, while helping ease traffic congestion.
Works in San Francisco de Macorís and Jarabacoa
The Circunvalación de San Francisco de Macorís, or San Francisco de Macorís Bypass, has received RD$1,465.31 million in investment between 2022 and 2025. Disbursements totaled RD$525.30 million in 2022, RD$213.98 million in 2023, RD$540.64 million in 2024 and RD$185.40 million in 2025.
The project aims to improve road continuity toward the northeastern Cibao area and facilitate the transport of people and goods.
Separately, the reconstruction and widening of the Jarabacoa-La Vega highway had received more than RD$543.26 million in investment through 2025. Officials said the work is intended to improve conditions on one of the country's main mountain corridors and ease mobility between the two towns.
Regional lighting program
Beyond the major infrastructure projects, the government also reported a regional maintenance contract and a lighting program covering 150 kilometers of roads. Of that total, 50 kilometers have already been completed and another 100 kilometers are under construction.
Authorities said the combined set of projects would reduce travel times and costs, improve road safety, and benefit sectors such as tourism, production, trade and logistics. The stated goal is to build a network that more efficiently connects the North region's main production and tourism hubs with the rest of the country.
