Madrid – President Luis Abinader announced that construction of the Amber Highway is set to commence within the next 15 days, facilitated by an initial budget allocation of RD$5.78 billion.
The announcement was made on Wednesday following a meeting with Sergio Díaz-Granados, the executive president of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), which has shown interest in supporting the infrastructure initiative.
According to Presidency Minister José Ignacio Paliza, preliminary site work has already begun in Montellano, Puerto Plata, and two environmental permits have been secured for the highway sections that will connect Santiago and Puerto Plata.
The Amber Highway, which spans approximately 35 kilometers, aims to reduce travel time between these two provinces from over an hour to around 35 minutes. It is expected to enhance transportation, boost trade, and strengthen tourism and investment in the northern region of the Dominican Republic.
The project has been awarded to the Autopista del Ámbar Consortium, which includes Magna, Rizek Constructora, Ingeniería Estrella, and Constructora Mar, for a total of about RD$28.8 billion.
CAF, which has been collaborating with the Dominican Republic for more than 20 years, established offices in Santo Domingo in 2025 and provides support for various developmental initiatives, including infrastructure, tourism, energy, and education. The Dominican Republic became a member of CAF in 2004 and achieved full membership in 2021.
