New Road from Higuey to Bavaro??

[DrChrisHE]

We have been advised to take the "new" road to Bavaro which supposedly cuts off 45 min to an hour from the trip (originating in Juan Dolio). My understanding is that once you hit Higuey going East, instead of turning RIGHT where one used to (I've only driven this once before and it was a year and a half ago) you keep going straight. Where does one go then and are there signs (LOL) that direct you?

Anyone KNOW about this--or are we going to wind up in the middle of a cane field (again--I take detours a lot and experiment with my routes to all sorts of places)??? TIA!!!
paz y salud,
DrChrisHE

[jalencastro]

LOL i personally DO NOT know about a new road but i DO KNOW about getting lost in cane fields!

[DrChrisHE]

Originally Posted by jalencastro

LOL i personally DO NOT know about a new road but i DO KNOW about getting lost in cane fields!

Yep--Although I feel guilty about driving our small SUV (and there are 5 of us), my cane field experiences along with the fact that the orphanage is at the end of a cane road, make me very glad I have one. The number of enormous holes I drive through (yes I TRY to straddle them--but sometimes that is impossible) each day is amazing. It's not so bad until it starts raining...THEN the fun begins!

[PJT]

The new road is the improvement of the existing road from (Higuey) La Otra Bando to Macao and Uvero Alto. You can access Bavaro once you reach Macao. However, the 10 mile road section from Macao to Bavaro is not improved other than patches on ever existing pot holes. This section will be eventually improved with the new tourist corridor highway from Punta Cana airport to Uvero Alto.

This new road does not cut any time off the route from Higuey to Bavaro as of this posting, only adds to it. Best to use the time honored route from (Higuey) La Otra Banda to Veron and then Bavaro.

Note: PJT lives in Bavaro and travels often to Higuey.

Regards,
PJT

[DrChrisHE]

Thanks PJT--That is what I suspected! I'm thinking this guy drove the "improved" parts at 80mph. Dh is determined to take it and my gut tells me it is NOT a good idea. Given that there may be traffic when we are going though, is it possible that because it IS new, the traffic issue may be reduced?

[PJT]

Originally Posted by DrChrisHE

Thanks PJT--That is what I suspected! I'm thinking this guy drove the "improved" parts at 80mph. Dh is determined to take it and my gut tells me it is NOT a good idea. Given that there may be traffic when we are going though, is it possible that because it IS new, the traffic issue may be reduced?

The new road traffic is not really an issue as of this time. Yet, the traffic is heavy from Higuey to La Otra Banda and that is the only local route to access the new road.

The traffic from La Otra Banda to Veron to Bavaro is a pressing issue during the morning rush hours-when the employees and services based in Higuey and beyond travel to Punta Cana - Bavaro. The middle day hours and after, the traffic and route can be managed going in that direction. Departing the Bavaro area late afternoon and evening is rush hour back to Higuey.


Regards,
PJT

[Hillbilly]

Please follow PJT's indications, as he is on the spot.
I can agree about traffic patterns, because when I left Cap Cana to return to Santiago, the biggest threat, even at 5 in the morning, was the lights from buses going to Bavaro and Punta Cana....I do not think they can fit another light on those behemoths!!

If you are going to Punta Cana or Bávaro, do not take the alternate route, it just adds miles to your trip...

HB