(Caribbean 360) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti will improve the efficiency and safety of its transportation systems and will advance regional and international integration with a US$65 million grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The five-year programme, which will be carried out by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC),will increase competitiveness, connectivity and accessibility by reducing transportation costs, improving safe transport services and enhancing the country’s regional and international integration.
Specifically, it will rehabilitate a 29.5 km stretch of the RN1 highway; between Camp Coq and Vaudreuli. The grant also includes resources necessary for the rehabilitation, improvement and or maintenance of Haiti’s primary and secondary road networks.
Haiti has a road network of 3,572 kilometers, of which just 15 percent is in good condition.
Road safety is complicated not only by the poor conditions of roadways and vehicles, but also by the lack of signage and enforcement of transit regulations.
Road transport is the leading mode of transportation for cargo and passengers in Haiti, making improvement of infrastructure fundamental for economic development and for enhanced integration of the country’s regions.