Luis Abinader inaugurates Plaza de la Bandera tunnel to ease southbound traffic

President Luis Abinader inaugurated the 1.2-kilometer tunnel beneath the Plaza de la Bandera in Santo Domingo, a project aimed at eliminating one of the capital's worst traffic bottlenecks and improving connectivity to the southern region. The tunnel, which runs under the avenida Gregorio Luperón, was built with an investment of RD$3,300 million (about US$56 million), financed through the renegotiation of the Aerodom concession contract Source: infobae.

Capacity and timeline

The four-lane tunnel is designed to handle 2,500 vehicles per hour in each direction, according to most sources Source: elcaribedr, eldiado, though Hoy Digital reports a total capacity of 5,000 vehicles per hour Source: hoydo. Construction began in February 2025 and was completed in approximately 18 months—described as a record pace by Minister of Public Works Eduardo Estrella Source: eldiado. The project benefits an estimated 300,000 people daily Source: elcaribedr.

Safety and design

• The tunnel includes ventilation and gas extraction systems, fire suppression equipment, emergency power, and cameras linked to the 9-1-1 system Source: elcaribedr.
• Over 700 pilotes were installed for seismic stability Source: elcaribedr.