Highway project in Dominican Republic

The network of highways that will eventually connect Punta Cana to Santo Domingo is part of a mega project, which include

• Autovia del Este y San Pedro – La Romana. (Highway of the East, and San Pedro – La Romana).
• Autopista del Coral (Coral Highway).
• Boulevard del Este (East Boulevard).

The later, East Boulevard is the section of highway that begins at Punta Cana Airport and extends parallel to the coastline through the tourist area of Bavaro all the way to Uvero Alto. This section is approximately 75 % completed, and at its completion will feature four lanes of traffic, greatly shortening the length of time between Punta Cana’s airport and the furthest hotels of Uvero Alto.

Plans are in place to eventually continue this highway to the town of Miches. This will give access for tourists in the Punta Cana area to the Bay of Samana in less than two hours.

The Coral Highway connecting La Romana to Punta Cana is 70 KM and will consist of two bridges. The most important being the bridge that crosses the Chavon River that will now be 30 meters higher than the existing bridge. This highway will greatly improve travel between Punta Cana and La Romana, eliminating the need to pass through the city of Higuey.

This project is lead by Dominican Republic’s president Leonel Fernandez and the Ministry of Public Works. Although the rain season has slowed the progress of the project, the Ministry maintains the project will be completed as scheduled in the early months of 2012.