Samana-Las Galeras Highway
The Samana-Las Galeras highway continues to deteriorate with several sections now in even more serious condition. Despite provisions in the $500 million US dollars bond issue passed earlier this year by the government which contained funding to restore this highway, the only visible progress as seen by Samana Net is several drainage culverts being installed on the section of the highway that goes up the mountain on Samana's eastern side.

Further complicating matters, recent heavy rains have washed much of the road's construction dirt down the hill and onto the Malecon at the base of the mountain. To combat this and in preparation for eventual paving, a layer of tar and gravel was just placed on the road.

 Rincon Road- Some minor improvement has been made on the Rincon road west of the village of Rincon.  Improvement recently noted was that two small, steep, rock-studded grades have been improved to the point that shifting into 4wd to go up them is no longer necessary.  No other improvement has been noted.

 Playa Del Vallee- The Del Vallee road was under some improvement the last time this writer traversed it this past summer.  At that time, several sections were in such bad condition that passage was difficult, but vehicular traffic manages to continue to this north peninsula village and beach.


 El Limon Highway- Progress continues slowly on the El Limon-Las Terrenas highway with further filling and leveling of the road's surface although deterioration of the surface from heavy rains seems to be outstripping progress.

 Las Terrenas Roads-A small concrete bridge near the western end of the highway just outside Las Terrenas has been completed and work has begun on a cutoff road that will enter the eastern side of the city from the highway.
 No further progress has been made on much of that city's oceanfront road and the western section remains particularly trying with large depressions that become mud-puddles still being in abundance after typical rains.  The road to Playa Bonita continues to challenge a vehicle's suspension system, with the oceanfront section seeming to be somewhat improved.

 Santo Domingo-Samana Autopista- The government recently announced the resumption of this project that was started by the previous administration some 3 years ago.  It seems the contract has been re-awarded to the Colombian firm that won the original tender for the highway's construction during the previous administration.  A completion date for the project was not announced.  The toll road will intersect the North Coast Highway several miles west of the new El Catey airport and is expected to reduce driving time from Samana to the capital, Santo Domingo, by at least two hours.