Duarte Highway Pedestrian Bridge Removal Delayed at Km 9

Drivers and pedestrians using the Duarte Highway near Santo Domingo should brace for continued disruption at kilometer 9, where the planned removal of a pedestrian bridge has been pushed back, according to Diario Libre.

What's Happening on the Duarte

The Duarte Highway is one of the country's most heavily trafficked corridors, linking the capital with the Cibao region and popular inland destinations such as Santiago, Jarabacoa, and Constanza. Work at kilometer 9 involves dismantling an aging pedestrian overpass as part of broader roadway improvements in the metropolitan area. As reported by Diario Libre, the takedown did not proceed on its originally scheduled date, extending the window during which lane closures, detours, and slow-moving traffic can be expected in the vicinity.

Why Travelers Should Care

If you're renting a car in Santo Domingo and heading north — whether to catch a domestic flight, visit family, or explore the mountains — this stretch is almost unavoidable. Delays in demolition work typically mean:

• Unpredictable lane restrictions during evening and overnight hours when heavy machinery is deployed.
• Congestion spillover onto parallel avenues in the Villa Mella and Los Guaricanos areas.
• Longer transfer times between the capital and northern provinces, especially on weekends and holidays.

Travelers with tight airport connections at Las Américas (SDQ) or Cibao International (STI) should build in extra buffer time. Ride-hailing apps and private transfer drivers are generally aware of the situation, but sharing your route in advance can help avoid surprises.

Practical Tips

Consider traveling outside peak hours — early morning or mid-afternoon tends to move better than the 7–9 a.m. and 5–7 p.m. rush. If you're driving yourself, apps like Waze reflect real-time closures in Santo Domingo and are widely used by locals. For those staying in the capital without plans to head north, day-to-day tourism activities in the Colonial Zone, Piantini, and along the Malecón remain unaffected.

Dominican Republic Revealed will continue to monitor updates from Diario Libre and local transit authorities as a new demolition date is confirmed.