Feasibility Study of the Road Bypass of Dajabon and Ouanaminthe - Second Phase Consultation Progress Report

This progress report presents the second phase consultation findings for a feasibility study of a road bypass system for the border towns of Dajabon, Dominican Republic and Ouanaminthe, Haiti. The study, conducted by ARS Progetti S.P.A. and funded by the European Union, began in March 2015 with extensive stakeholder consultations and field visits.

Four alternative bypass routes are analyzed, ranging from 8.5 to 12.5 kilometers in length, all passing north of both cities except Solution 4 which goes south of Ouanaminthe. Each solution requires bridge construction over rivers including the Massacre River (70m bridge needed) and smaller waterways. The routes traverse both private and public lands used primarily for rice cultivation, sugarcane, and livestock grazing.

Solution 2 emerges as the shortest total travel distance at 10.8 km, while Solutions 1, 3, and 4 would add 4.0, 4.2, and 8.2 km respectively to cross-border journeys. The analysis considers technical, environmental, and social factors including flood zones, protected ecological areas, and impacts on local communities like the Japanese Colony, Gaiac, and Pirobert.

Key challenges identified include the need for new border crossing infrastructure, customs facilities, deep foundations due to soil conditions, and potential impacts on agricultural production. Benefits include reduced traffic congestion and improved road safety in both border cities, better customs control, and enhanced access to binational markets.