Cemex Dominican Republic, the country’s biggest cement producer, said that RD$300 million ($6.55 million) owed by the State Supervising Engineers Office (OISOE) is the reason for the halted construction of the Puerto Plata-Luperon Road, reported the Dominican Today. The company’s statement responds to recent protests by communities demanding that the work on the provincial road resume.
Cemex won a call for tenders to build the 28.3-km, two-lane road in 2014, but construction was halted in late 2015.
“We recognize the importance of the road and the high interest it would have on the community,” stated Cemex Dominican Republic spokesperson Luis José Lopez. “However, significant delays for more than 18 months in the agreed payments with the Dominican government have prevented us from continuing the work as scheduled.”
Lopez said the project includes two bridges and repairs of four others as well as gullies in areas prone to flooding.
Communities, tourism and transport associations that expect to benefit from the renewed economic dynamics have been demanding the road’s conclusion for several months.
