In most cases, cars usually slow down to drive over or avoid them. Raúl Asencio
Santo Domingo, DR — On April 6, 2025, the new toll station located at kilometer 32 began operating, marking the start of a new phase in the remodeling and expansion of the Juan Pablo Duarte Highway.
Although the opening of this new toll station does not mark the end of the emblematic project that seeks to resolve common problems of deterioration and danger on the highway, it is interesting to note the number of potholes that remain on the influential highway despite its recent remodeling.
After a round trip by Listín Diario journalists from the Santo Domingo toll station to the province of Santiago, more than 50 potholes of different sizes were counted on the iconic road.
In the south-north direction, near the Montaña Paraíso recreation area and the Villas del Bosque ecotourism project, specifically at kilometer 52, three were found on a section that appeared to have been recently remodeled.
From the segment that runs through Villas Las Marías to the San José del Puerto detachment, about five more appeared, even though the stretch showed clear signs of paving and remodeling.
More than 50 potholes were counted along the route. Raúl Asencio
The route exposed the former existence of several potholes on the Duarte Highway that were paved by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), the institution in charge of the work since 2022; however, not all of them have been covered, and some of those that have been repaired still have slight depressions that are noticeable when driving over them.
From kilometer 58 to the entrance to Bonao, 11 were counted. From Talleres Juma to the Sabaneta bridge, La Vega, another 12 were seen.
North-south direction
In the north-south direction, from the GM Muebles store to the Atlantic gas station, 7 were seen. Although the main ones were found on the roadway separated by the median, the side shoulders intended for motorcycles also suffered from these potholes, in addition to not being completely paved.
A few meters from the entrance to the Doña Pula barbecue restaurant to the Profesor Juan Ramón de la Cruz Primary School, six more were observed. On the Piedra Blanca overpass, although the vast majority were paved, others were left off the radar.
Some tend to be larger than others, Raúl Asencio.
From this point of reference and with 32 kilometers still to go to reach the city of Santo Domingo, 10 more were identified.
