President Abinader leaves work underway to extend Line 1 of the Santo Domingo Metro towards Punta de Villa Mella

This is an automated translation of the press release issued in Spanish

Santo Domingo. – President Luis Abinader led this Wednesday the first palazo to begin the construction work of the extension of Line 1 of the Santo Domingo Metro , from the Mamá Tingó station to Punta de Villa Mella , a project that will improve the quality of life of residents in Santo Domingo Norte and surrounding areas.

This new effort to improve the quality of transportation and mobility in Greater Santo Domingo includes an approximate investment of US 187 million and its delivery is scheduled in about 36 months.

When leading the ceremony to begin construction work on the project, together with the director of the Office for the Reorganization of Transportation ( Opret ), Rafael Santos Pérez , the president highlighted that Line 1B of the Santo Domingo Metro emerges as an answer bold to the growing demand for efficient, safe and sustainable public transport that new times demand.

The head of state pointed out that this project not only promises to transform the experience of urban mobility, but also catalyze a positive change in the quality of life of the inhabitants of Santo Domingo Norte.

The governor stressed that the Northern area of Greater Santo Domingo has faced critical challenges in terms of transportation, the inefficiency of public transportation, marked by vehicle congestion and low quality of service, has negatively impacted travel time, the economy and the well-being of citizens. “This scenario underscores the urgent need for an innovative solution. And here it is.”

President Abinader highlighted that Line 1B of the Santo Domingo Metro represents this solution. “Extending from the Mamá Tingó station in Villa Mella towards Punta Villa Mella. This expansion will not only improve connectivity, but will also promote cleaner and more efficient transportation.”

The governor highlighted that the metro is one of the most important infrastructures in any city, since it facilitates the movement of thousands of people every day quickly and efficiently and that, with these new works, the growing demand will be able to be met. of public transport in the city and reduce congestion on the streets.

He also said that the extension of the line will allow citizens of the peripheral neighborhoods to access other parts of the city more quickly, promoting the integration and development of the entire Greater Santo Domingo.

“We are committed to guaranteeing access to quality public transportation for all citizens, regardless of where they live in the city,” said the president.

He added: “Our purpose transcends the creation of infrastructure. We seek to make the mobility experience in Santo Domingo more efficient, making it more inclusive, faster and sustainable. This project is a step towards territorial integration and optimization of public service, where each citizen feels the positive impact in their daily lives.”

Inauguration of the Julie Ares Technological Training Center, in Mamá Tingó

When referring to the inauguration of the Infotep Technological Training Center : Julie Ares Guzmán, located at the Mamá Tingó Training Center, highlighted that this center will have a robust training offer , to train the technicians needed by the railway sector , not only for the Santo Domingo Metro, if not for the entire country.

He indicated that with the construction of this center, the Government is committed to vocational training that increasingly resembles the knowledge society and that lays more solid foundations that are better adjusted to employability.

“We want more and better jobs, which translates into energizing our economy and preparing it for the future. And it will need new infrastructure to develop, as will be the case with this extension of the Metro,” highlighted President Abinader.

Commitment to continue developing and improving rail transport

For his part, the executive director of Opret, Rafael Santos Pérez, assured that the management he heads is committed to continuing to develop and improve rail transportation as established by President Luis Abinader.

"Rest assured that we will carry out this work adhering to the guidelines of efficiency and transparency, always defending the public interest, ensuring that every peso invested is done objectively so that your effort, which is the effort of all the Dominican people, is translate into collective well-being, increasing the quality of life of the people of this district and demonstrating to the nation that efficient and functional works can be done from the public sector," indicated Santos Pérez.

Santos Pérez indicated that a second work will be carried out with this intervention and is the continuity of Hermanas Mirabal avenue, with the required dimensions to leave 4 lanes enabled, two in each direction, and thus the sector achieve the flow of traffic from Punta (San Felipe) towards Villa Mella, thereby eliminating the traffic jams that are generated daily.

In addition, he said that the work, carried out by Opret, includes the construction of two stations, which will be located near the Ramón Matías Mella Educational Center and the community of San Felipe, and that will be part of the Metro-Teleferico Integrated Transportation system. Santo Domingo. In addition, it includes a new viaduct of about 2.5 kilometers in length and a fourteen-lane railway depot.

He also explained that this new garage will be strategically located for parking trains and maintenance tracks, and that the project also includes a vehicle parking building.

Comprehensive development of young Dominicans to insert them into the labor market

Meanwhile, the deputy general director of Infotep, Maira Morla, representing the general director Rafael Santos Badía , said that the Julie Ares Center will be operating with workshops to train in computing, cybersecurity, electricity, electronics, accounting, secretarial work, sales and workshop for train, station and user services operators.

“Infotep and Opret join forces to promote the comprehensive development of young Dominicans, with training programs, to insert them into the labor market and develop entrepreneurship, which supports the economic and social development of our nation,” said Morla.

Transforming the urban mobility experience

Line 1B of the Santo Domingo Metro promises to continue transforming the urban mobility experience, improving connectivity levels and access, and will promote cleaner and more efficient transportation.

At the same time , it will considerably reduce traffic congestion in the area. This work promises a significant impact on reducing traffic in the northern area of the city.

Accompanying President Abinader were the ministers of the Presidency, Joel Santos Echavarría; Interim Presidency Administrative Officer, Igor Rodríguez; the senator, Antonio Taveras Guzmán; the representative and mayor elected for Santo Domingo Norte, Betty Gerónimo; the directors, of the CTC, Isidro Torres; of Ethics and Government Integrity, Milagros Ortiz Bosch; from DIDA, Carolina Serrata; from INTRANT and 911, pilot colonel, Randolfo Rijo; from Cesmet, major general, Manuel Antonio Lachapelle De los Santos; Dr. Antonio Jiminián and the daughters of Julie Ares, Julie Ann and Rosalía Mejía Ares.