Gov’t obtains $3 million in federal funds to repair key port road

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Joel A. Pizá Batiz announced Thursday the approval of $3 million in a federal subsidy for repairing roads in the port zone of San Juan.

The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program.

The funds are directed at financing, planning and design studies for a total reconstruction of Avenida C in the Puerto Nuevo port zone, the only access to the eight ports of that zone.

Pizá Batiz said that in addition to the reconstruction of the road, the study will consider the construction of underground structures, the system of illumination, truck access and signage.

“The entrance of the Puerto Nuevo ports has historically had challenges of paving due to the fact that it was built in the decade of the sixties and now experiences a significant increase in volume of traffic with more cargo of greater dimensions,” Pizá Batiz said. “This access road has already served its useful life and requires total reconstruction in conformance with its current operations, so it is one of the critical subjects that preoccupies us given the importance of making more agile ground transportation for the truckers of the supply chain.”

“For the administration of Gov. Pedro R. Pierluisi, it is a priority to take advantage of every opportunity to compete for federal grants that make the development of projects viable, as they become available,” the Ports chief added. “As part of this effort, the island’s maritime industry has been incorporated into the development of the strategic plan of the Authority to submit applications for federal grants.”