Dominican Republic drawbridge tender still unawarded

The construction of a new drawbridge over the Ozama River, intended to replace the aging floating bridge connecting Santo Domingo's National District and Santo Domingo Este, is facing significant delays. The bidding process, initiated by the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC), was originally slated for contract signing in May. However, the timeline has been pushed back, and the project is currently in the evaluation phase for technical and economic offers.

The international public tender, MOPC-CCC-LPI-2026-0001, has seen its schedule modified multiple times. The initial plan included receiving proposals in March, awarding the contract in April, and signing it in May. The current schedule now sets July 20 for the presentation and opening of technical offers, with evaluation extending through August. The award is anticipated for September 8, followed by notification to the winning company on September 15, guarantee fulfillment on September 17, and contract signing on September 18. The start of construction hinges on the completion of these administrative steps.

This is the second attempt by the government to secure a contractor for the 4.5 billion peso project. A previous international tender in February 2025 was declared void. The current tender, launched in February of this year, seeks to finalize a project deemed strategic for improving traffic flow, reducing congestion, and ensuring navigation on the Ozama and Isabela rivers. The new drawbridge will be built approximately 80 meters south of the current structure and is designed for a lifespan of over 100 years, accommodating vessel passage without the limitations of the existing floating bridge.