Dominican Republic Plans RD$53.6 Billion in Northern Road Projects

The Dominican government is advancing a major road investment program in Santiago and the country’s northern region, with more than RD$42.8 billion currently committed to infrastructure projects and another RD$53.59 billion projected between the remainder of 2026 and 2028.

The projects are being financed through the RD Vial Trust and executed by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications. The portfolio includes the expansion of the Duarte Highway, the Navarrete bypass, the Ámbar Highway connecting Santiago directly with Puerto Plata, the San Francisco de Macorís bypass and the reconstruction and expansion of the Jarabacoa-La Vega road.

Ámbar Highway Represents Largest New Project

The Ámbar Highway is the centerpiece of the government’s northern infrastructure program. The project has been awarded at a value of RD$28 billion, with an advance payment of RD$5.78 billion already provided.

The financial schedule calls for RD$11.52 billion to be invested in 2027 and another RD$11.52 billion in 2028, leaving RD$23.04 billion to be executed over those two years. The government said the project already has a contract, advance payment and construction camp, while public hearings have been completed.

Permitting, land acquisition, design and geotechnical studies are also advancing, with physical construction expected to begin this year across three work fronts. Once completed, the highway is intended to create a direct connection between Santiago and Puerto Plata, two of the country’s important economic and tourism centers.

Duarte Highway Expansion Continues

The expansion of the Duarte Highway, one of the Dominican Republic’s main road corridors, recorded RD$20.748 billion in investment between 2021 and 2026. The program includes work around elevated interchanges at kilometers 17, 22 and 28.

Another RD$5.518 billion is scheduled for the remainder of 2026, followed by RD$14.29092 billion in 2027. That leaves a combined RD$19.80892 billion in planned spending to complete the interventions outlined by the government.

The highway is a critical connection between Santo Domingo and the Cibao region, making improvements to its capacity and traffic flow relevant to the movement of passengers and goods between the country’s largest population and economic centers.

Navarrete And San Francisco Bypasses Expand Regional Connectivity

The Navarrete bypass is divided into three sections with additional spending planned through 2027. Navarrete I has RD$519.27 million remaining, including RD$328.72 million in 2026 and RD$190.55 million in 2027. Navarrete II has RD$2.16243 billion pending, while Navarrete III has another RD$2.18085 billion scheduled.

The government says the Navarrete infrastructure will improve the connection from Santiago toward the northwestern Line and the port area of Manzanillo while helping reduce congestion on existing routes. The corridor is particularly relevant to regional transportation and the movement of commercial goods.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco de Macorís bypass has accumulated RD$1.46531 billion in investment from 2022 through 2025. The spending included 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 is intended to improve road continuity toward the Cibao Nordeste region, supporting transportation and productive activity in an area with an important agricultural and commercial base.

Jarabacoa-La Vega Road Also Under Expansion

The reconstruction and expansion of the Jarabacoa-La Vega road had accumulated more than RD$543.26 million in investment through 2025. The route connects La Vega with Jarabacoa through a mountainous corridor and is being upgraded as part of the broader effort to improve northern road infrastructure.

The government has linked the wider investment program to lower travel times and transportation costs, improved road safety and stronger connections among tourism, production, commerce and logistics hubs in the region.

Infrastructure Program Extends Beyond Major Highways

The road program also includes regional maintenance work and a planned expansion of highway lighting. Officials said 150 kilometers of roads are included in the lighting program, with 50 kilometers already inaugurated and another 100 kilometers under execution.

The government presented the projects as a coordinated road network rather than a collection of isolated works. For the northern region, the planned connections are expected to improve access between Santiago, Puerto Plata, the Cibao Nordeste and Northwest regions, while strengthening links between productive areas and major commercial and tourism destinations.

The scale of the planned spending means that road infrastructure will remain a significant area of public investment in the Dominican Republic through 2028. The progress of projects such as the Ámbar Highway, the Duarte Highway expansion and the regional bypasses will determine how quickly those investments translate into improved mobility and connectivity across the north.

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