GEOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PART II: TRANSPORTATION

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CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4
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RIFPUB
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C
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22
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December 9, 2016
Document Release Date: 
December 2, 1999
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17
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Publication Date: 
April 1, 1961
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IR
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Approved For Rel9taaibitiVALCIA-RDP79-01009AMI7100106i7-4 CUrir GEOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT DOMINICAN RLPUBLE TRANPO N CIA/RR GR L-61-10 Part II April 1961 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS ENNGT EN'CLASS: Ts cpiuADTTELLIL _sevIevvER:2:19_1ejL)..... S C Calf /DLN NEX;REC.V1-11EAVVNGOTTET?. Approved For Release 2000/08/2?.? C6LPADP79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 WARNING This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the espionage laws, Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the trans- missitm or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized per6on is prohibited by law. Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 031$111011118,9111110111111111111110001Pgr91111111111111111111111Prk C-O-N-F-I -D-E-N-T-I-A-L Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PART II: TRANSPORTATION CIA/RR GR L-61-10 Part II April 1961 Approved For Releisie-M1648P2g-WAARIDP79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Relek610.60f0W-et14k-bP79-01009A002700010017-4 COhrtillS Page I. General ...... ? 9 . . 1 0 ...... V U ? 3. II. Roads . .. .... 6 6 a ? 9 ? ? 0 11, ........ A. Major Roads . . . . .......... . . . . . ? 2 B. M3nor Roads . . . . ...... . . ? ? ? . . ? . . 4 C. International Road Connections . . ? 0?? ? a a ? 6 D. Bridges . . . . ...... . . . . a 0 V a ?? *0 7 E. Road Markings and Safety Factors . ?????? 90 ; F. Commercial Transport . . . 0 ...... 0 ? 9 f.? G. Road Maintenance . . ? ? 00 ....... o a 6 . 9 III, Railroads .19 a ....... 0 .... ? 0 ... ? at ??6109 ? 0 ... S a aVO IV. Air ? . 9 . ? ? . Watermws O a a 9 ? 0 . 9 12 13 Dominican Republic: Transportation (35027) . 0 a0 O e 0 . Inside back cover Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-ROP79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For ReleaAltitraitittg"iNdA2Eltd579-01009A002700010017-4 DOMINICAN RIMBLIC PARD II: TRANSPORTATION I. General Transportation in the Dominican Republic traditionally has been by road, and the increased efforts of recent years to improve transport facilities have followed the same pattern. The mountainous terrain in the central and western parts of the country has discouraged the build- ing of railroads., and has even retarded the development of more than a skeleton network of roads. Coastal transport has been effective for Short hauling along the southern coast, but the long and sparsely popu- lated extension of the island eastward makes coastal shipping impractical for the movement of goods between the south coast and the north. The few short rivers that are navigable provide no passenger service and only limited traesport facilities for freight. Passenger service by air is relatively insignificant, and air freight has been slow to expand. TWelve airports capable of handling such traffic- have been developed, but they are used Chiefly by the Dominican Air Force for military pa- trols and maneuvers. The over-all transport situation reflects the lack of integrated economic growth under the Trujillo regime as well as. the developmental problems posed by the difficult terrain. II. Roads There are approximately 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) of roads in the country, most of whibh are "national roads" maintained by the gov- ernment (see Nhp 3,027). A sparse road net connects most of the periph- eral sections of the country with the capital, but large parts of the interior have no roads at all and few trails. Most highways are only Approved For Release 2000/08/25: CIA-RDF79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Release 2000/08/25: CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 two lanes wide and, except for those constructed not recently, are winding, with an excessive nueber of curves and steep grades. Road signs are few and far between. Many streams must still be crossed by ferry or ford. About one-third of the roads are hard surfaced with an aggregate base; one-half are gravel surfaced with an aggregate base; and the remainder are unimproved dirt roads. One-third of the roads are classed as "dry weather only;" and, unless properly maintained, sections of even the better roads become impassable during the rainy season -- generally May through November. A. Major Roads Three highways are of major significance in connecting the important commercial eections of the country: Carretera Duarte, Carretera Melia, and Carretera Sinchez. The artery most vital to the country is the Duarte highway, Which stretches from the Capital, Ciudad Trujillo, to Montecristi in the extreme northwest, a distance of 292 kilometers (181 miles). Near Its mid-course the highway passes through the richest agricultural part of the country, the Cibao area, which provides the capital and much of the rest of the country with food. The heavy traffic along the highway Includes not only food and consumer goods moving to and from the capital, but also bananas and sugar from producing areas to transshipment points. From Ciudad Trujillo to Monseffor Nouel, a distance of 90 kilometers (56 miles), the Duarte highway is a heavy-duty 24-foot concrete road with 6-foot shoulders, recently improved to first-class condition. Gentle gradients and easy curves permit rapid travel in law mountainous areas. Between Monseffor Nouel and Santiago, about 85 kilometers (53 miles), the road crosses the northeast fringes of the Cordillera Central, and sharp - 2 - Approved For Release 2000/08/25: CIA-RDP.79-01009A002700010017-4 c-O-N-F-I-D-B-N-T-I-A-e Approved For Releaset:2000#0812541014-RDM-01009A002700010017-4 curves are numerous in the steeper stretches. In general, the asphalt surface of this stretch is in fairly good condition, but in places it Is broken up and fairly rough. The 117 kilometers (73 miles) of 16-foot apphalt road between Santiago and Montecristi vary in quality from good to poor. Heavy traffic, including sugarcane and banana trucks, contrib- utes to the rapid development of potholes; and, in some sections, the need for patching is continuous. The Elmhurst Construction Company has had a contract for the improvement of this highway for several years, but construction has alternately progressed and come to a standstill, depending upon the finaacial vagaries of the Dominican Government. The Melia highway stretches from Macao, almost at the eastern tip of the island, through Higliey, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, and San Pedro de Maoris to Ciudad Trujillo, a total distance of about 195 kilometers (120 miles). Between the capital and San Pedro de Macoris, it is the only existing road, and disruption of service along this segmeut would completely iso- late the entire eastern part of the Republic. The Melia highway has been asphalt surfaced throughout, but in the mountainous sections from Hato Mayor to San Pedro and HigUey, the surface in places has deteriorated to rough gravel. Alternate routes are available between San Pedro and Higiley via La Romana on the coast or Ram% Santana further inland, but the Hato Mayor-El Seib() section of the Nella highway remains an essential artery because roads branch north from it to Sabana de la Mar and to Miches. The third major highway, the Carretera Sanchez, is the principal through route to Haiti. It connects with the Melia highway at Ciudad Trujillo, and together the two form a generally good, asphalt-surfaced - 3 - Approved For Releasec200190W-2;54-431A-RDS79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Release2bikr10812-614-LROFL79-01009A002700010017-4 road that traverses the scuthern part of the Republic for more than 435 kilometers (270 miles). The first 12 kilometers (7 mile) of the S4nchez highway ie a 4-1ane, concrete artery connecting Ciudad Trujillo with the tom of jaina, and the continuation of this surface to San Cristdbal has been projected. Beyond Jain., an asphalt road runs through San Cristdbal, Banf, A2La1 San Juan, and Elias Plaa, where it crosses the Haitian border. B, MIhohltoaftp. In addition to the three major highways, several other very signif- icant roads tap already productive areas or make possible the opening up of new ones, Two suCh routes branch off the SAnchez highway. The first is an asphalt road that leaves the Sitnchez highway at a point not far west of Atua, one arm of it going south to Barahona and the other meat to DescUbierta. Muth of the road is of very poor quality. In the stretch around the tip of the Behoruco Peninsula, the surface south of Barehona deterioratea to sand and gravel until it connects with a good gravel road, Which goes from Pedernales to Jimani and Descubierta. The second Impor- tant branch off the Sanchez highway is a new road leading north from Las Carreras through San Jose de Ocoa to La Horma, Valle Nuevo, Constanzsa and El Rio, and finally to the Duarte highway. This branch will be of invortance as a supply route to the rich agricultural region around Constanza and as an outleh for produce destined for distant markets. From the Duarte highway, the oldest and most active route in the Republic, several branch eoads lead to various long-established market areas. A good asphalt road coanects Santiago with Puerto Plata, but travel along it is not rapid because of the steep, sharp curves on Approved For Release; itddraidet1tith1119-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Releasceldbidar CrAI-R-ADIP79-01009A002700010017-4 "La Serpentine," as the natives call the stretch of the road that crosses the Cordillera Septentrional. Between Villa Isabel and Santiago, another busy road parallels the Dcarte highway on the south; it is a gravel or coral-surfaced road of fair quality that taps agricultural lands near the foothills of the Cordillera Central,- A good road also branches off of the Duarte highway near La Vega and climbs to Jerabacoa; from there a gravel road minds through the mountains to B1 Rio, where it connects with the road from Constanza. Several gravel roads lead eastward from the Duarte highway -- from )ca, Rinc6n, and Piedra Blanca -- and con- vect with such points as San Francisco de Macoris? Data, Pimental? Julia Molina: and Samana. In the extreme northwest, an asphalt road leads south from hbntecristi to Dajab6n? south of which a gravel road continues across the mountains to the Sanchez highway east of nias Elha. In the remainder of the country, lesser roads form a sparse net covering only limited areas. Near Puerto Plata, an alternately gravel and asphalt road, heads east and more or less follows the coastline to Julia Molina, some 198 kilometers (124 miles) east of Puerto Plata. West of Puerto Plata a poor road leads through Imbert and Luper6n. In the northwest, equally poor roads connect both Santiago Rodriguez and San Juan de las Matas with the Duarte highway. In this region, however? the work of improving and joining the roads and of building new ones across the mountains to connect with roads from the south has already begun. In the area approximately 50 kilometers north of Ciudad Tmjillo -- which includes Yamasa? Cevicos? and Monte Plata -- the existing complex of low-quality roads is also scheduled for inprovemente. Poor roads now 5 -- Approved For Release .t:9.20-1/10-8,-/ip.D:SttiTtZ2-01009A002700010017-4 C-OeHaFeiaDeE-N-T-IaNaL Approved For Release zum/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 penetrate the area fram the south and vest, but little new construction has as yet taken place. Almost all of the areas included in the Cordillera Central, the Cordillera Oriental, aud the interior of the Bahoruco Peninsula lack road communications and are penetrated by very few trails. C. International Road Connections International travel between the Dominican Republic and Haiti has been reduced to a minimum because of the political tension between the two countries and is limited Chiefly to migratory workers from Haiti who must return after their work is done. Good connections with the Haitian road network occur in only three placeo: Dajab8n, Elias PiBa, and Jimani The Dajab6n crossing is easily reached via Nbutecristi and connects with a first-class road to Cap-HaTtien on the northern Haitian coast. From Bites Pifia? a connecting road passes through Lascahobas and Mirebalais in Haiti; and, from cateanf, a fairly good road leads to Fond Parisien and Croix des Bouquetes. In Haiti, all three routes connect with the main (though poor) roads leading to Port-au-Prince. Other border crossings are located at Cercadillo? near B4nical and at Pedernales,in the extreme south; but the connecting roads in Haiti are very poor and are traversable only by jeep. In 1936, an international highway vas built that stretches for 48 kilometers (29 miles) along the border, itself, between Cercadillo and Villa Anacaona. The only connection into Haiti, however, is the poor road between Cereadillo and Hinche. Consequently, there is little excuse for international traffic to travel along the road. Guard posts are numerous and traffic is limited primarily to military personnel and local inhabitants, as is also the ease along the entire Dominican frontier. - 6 Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For ReleaseA0gt9,8i2k.cittl.19AF9-01009A002700010017-4 IL RENOR The mountainous and billy terrain of the Dominican Republic and the numerous streams require the building of nary-bridges. even in the arid sections of the northwest and southwest, runoff following sudden Showers during the rainy season is sufficient to call for some provision for crossing arroyos and sharply incised ravines. As of 19,0, there report- edly were 1,200 bridges in the RepUblic: 34 of steel, 220 of coneretel and 880 of wood. Most of the small or older bridges are of wood, many of 'Which have been allowed to fall into disrepair pending replacement if and when road improvement programs are undertaken. Rickety boards and makeshift patches on the bridges and even by-passing fords and ferries are not uncommon. Often, after heavy rains, an entire bridge will be underwater, not being high enough even for periods of normal high water. A few bridges have been designed to serve as "floors" of fords during flood periods. As roads are gradeally being rebuilt and improved, how- ever, concrete or steel bridges are being constructed. The names of the major steel bridges completed as of 1959 are listed in treble 1 (following p. 7), along with their length, number of venal, type, kilometer distance from Ciudad Trujillo, road locations, and the names of rivers or streams they cross. Figures on load capacities are not available. There are no tunnels, underpasses, or viaducts in the Dominican Republic. R. Road Mtz,andSafeFactors Road signs indicating curves, bills, side roads, and other hazards are dismally inadequate throughout the Dominican Republic. Distances 7 - Approved For Releasecatli16-8W-eitht*9-01009A002700010017-4 C-0-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L Table Steel Bridges C) C) C) C) C) Name r- C4 C) 1. Rhadames c) ?C 0) C) C) 2. Presidente Peynado 9 0) 3. Ramfis C) OC ?k 4. Eugenio Michas C.) u) Rio Soco C4 OD C) C) C) C) 6. J. Sanchez Ramirez C4 7. Gneral Santana 75 0 8 8. Lucas Diaz L.11- 73 > 9. Jos?rujillo Valdez Rio Bani 2 CL CL ?C 1.0. Julia Molina Rio Ocoa River Rio Ozama Rio Isabela Rio Macoris Rio Saco Rio Soco Rio Chavon Rio Sanate Rio Vizao Troxlcoso Rio jaina Road and Location At Kilometer Marker Length in M,,ters Number of Spans Autopista Trujillo-San Isidro E edge of C. Trujillo Carr. C. Trujillo-Villa Melia N edge of C. Trujillo 6.0 330 255 6 3 Carr. Melia 65.6 319 3 11 km. (7 mi.) NW of San Pedro Carr. Mfalla at El Seibo 127.4111 Carr. San Pedro-La Romans_ 320 7 E edge of Boca del Soco Carr. Melia 141 3 76 W ed,ig of Belucal Carr. Melia '59.o 9 km. (5.6 mi.) W of Higuey rjarr. 04nch.i.,z 3 km. (.5 mi.) 1,t7.; of Paya Carr. Sanchez E edge of Bailj' Carr. Sdnchz 2 km. (1.2 mi.) S of Las Carrera Carr. Sanchez 3 -Ism. .9 mi.) W of Jaina 50 65. .") 87.D lLtg 221 6 Type of Construction C) Cs! 01 Steel; suspension Steel; arch truss Steel, suspension 9 01 0- Steel; through truss ci Ste,t1; truss chigjaway and railroad). 111 Cs! CO C) Cs! Steel 3teel; -..;ru4s 0 8 73 throu3h tru3s > 2 CL CL trus&< Steel; through Steel; .L,.eck t7u,s2 gzirder Approved For Release 2000/08/25: CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 Table I (continued) At i'tagtc, Number Type T?ilomet: in of of River Road and Location viarher eters ';-;:7ans ;'onstrucf:). Name - NI- g. 12. Yubazo Arr. Yubazo Carr. La Toms. C) C) 13. Lebr6n Arr. Lebrdn Carr. Hato Nuevo 24.2 C) C) 9 14. Generalisimo Trujillo Rio Yuna Carr. Duarte 92.8 -37 3 Steel; c) r- C4 1 km. (0.6 mi.) N of Monsenor io-,:e,: through truss c) 5. CamA Rio Cam Carr. Duarte 132.0 -- -- ?C C4 C) C) LC. Rio Verde Rio Verde Ci-r. Duarte 141.5 -- -- Tm C) L-. Licey Rio Licey Carr. Duarte 145.0 416 r. alm 18. Ercina Chevalier Rio Caad Carr. Rlnc6r-S,77,. de Macorfa 118.3 62 -- Steel C) 0 8 71. (5 mi.) N of Rine& ?k 19. Pedro Molina 2e-aa Rio Camii Carr. La Vega-La Jagua 137.0 C.) .. u) Pu. .an Marcos Rio S. Maros Carr. Puerto Plata-ImbertC4 41.0 Co c) Pl. Obispo Rio Obispo Zarr. 1%le:o Plata- . c) c) c) 22. Bajabonico Rio Bajabonico Carr. .L__),=1,7-fu.1,amicf -- W M 23. Canete ?r.Ca :.2 Carr. Santiago-San Jo s6 de La ,_, 124.0 ..... m w 715 R4. Yague Rio Y9lue tc-.1 Nori, Carr. Santiago-San Joce de Las Matas! 175,0 074 OC at 8 U- 25, Federico de S. aia Rio Yaque del Dorte Carr. 117peranza-AIL.A... 219.0 73 W > 26 San Rafael Rio Yaque del NO7tF. 7:arr..2-5-peaaa-iralv.,?0-1 223.0 2 CL 27. Castanuela y?) Rio Yeque del Iort 'Llsr,-. MarLe-7;,staa.F.1 CL ?C ao. to.aa?yao-u. 29. Are Rio 'Yaque df.1 Noyte Ca. .72;akta-uayublA Arr. .1Y.,10 Cr. 0Anchz - Approved For Release ozogLik8i2?...tClIPALWIL9-01009A002700010017-4 along main roads, however, are marked, using the common Latin American system of placing concrete posts a kilometer apart; the distance from . the capital (Ciudad Trujillo) is given on the face of the posts and the distances from the last town and to the next town are given on the sides toward each. An occasional name sign may indicate that a side road leads to the town indicated. Information about places any great dis- tance away is difficult to obtain, and the traveler often is saved from mistakes only because be has but one road to travel on. Ppeed limits (60 km. per hour on the open road) have been established, but roads are aeldom patrolled because the police do not have the vehicles needed for patrol purposes. The best deterrent to speeding is the roughness of the roads, but the accident rate is very high and will undoubtedly increase as the roads are improved. Pedestrians and livestock use the roads at all times and are reluctant to give way to vehicnier traffic. Army Checkpoints are located at many places along the main roads, often at 25-ki1ometer (16-,mile) intervals; and all but official cars must stop and report the names of passengers, where they came from, and Where they are going. In this way the government can keep track of the movement of all persons at all times. F. CommersIAEREsammt Numerous bus lines service almost all sections of the country. They have schedules that are more or less regular, depending to some degree on the antiquated state of the equipment and periodic breakdowns. Taxis (called calicos)) also can be hired for interurban service. Almost all freight is carried by truck. Approved For Releasec20011113M2546144DPV9-01009A002700010017-4 C-0-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-IeA-L Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 G. Road Maintenance Road mairstenance in the Dominican Republic is consistently inadequate. The over-all care and expansion of the road system is the responsibility of the national road department (Secretarla de Estado de Obras Pablieas), but a few municipalities maintain feeder roads, and all towns maintain their own streets (except those that are parts of through routes). The hIgh percentage of roads with only gravel or dirt surfaees con- tributes to the maintenance problem. Severe seasonal rains and heavy truck traffic are factors that cause continuing deterioration; and, when coupled with initially poor methods of construction, the reapir problem assumes major proportions. The principal road-building process for bard- surfaced roads consists of scarification, grading, rolling, spreading of gravel, oiling, adding a layer of asphalt, and then adding more gravel. For gravel-surfaced roads, work stops with the first application of gravel. Dirt roads are simply graded and rolled, or they may be com- pletely unimproved. With such marginal standards, roads break up quickly unless repair is maintaieed constantly. Even a good gravel road, will disintegrate within 2 or 3 years unless the rapidly forming chuck boles are filled .and the frequent washouts are regularly repaired. All dry Weather roads degenerate quickly, often developing such deep ruts and high centers that only horses ar high-wheeled carts can negotiate thee. III. 11.01,PcAY Rail transport in the Dominican Republic is disproportionately divided between two categories of service: government-owned lines and private industrial lines. The 17 operating systems use 7 different gauges plus portable tracke; and the widely separated, short lines form nothing - 9 - Approved For Releasec2_990_8pp_i94-.1M9-01009A002700010017-4 C-0-N-F-I-D-E-N=f-I-A-L Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 resembling a railroad "net." For this reason, railroads are of little significance to the country as a whole, and the existing lines have practically no military value. The government-owned line, Ferrocarril Sgnchez-La Vega, is operated by the Banco de Credit? Agrf cola y Industrial. At present, it provides service only between Sgnchez and La Vega -- a distance of 120 kilometers (75 miles) -- over track of 1.067-meter (42-1nch) gauge. The roadbed is in a seriously deteriorated condition, and the rolling stock very old. A 1959 report states that seats in the passenger cars at that time were merely benches, and another report states that passenger service is available only when called for, usually once a week. The equipment as of 1959, consisted of 9 passenger cars, 6 locomotives, 1 diesel engine, and 78 freight cars, 53 of which were gondolas. Although the amount of freight married is small, the railroad can render an important service to inland towns on occasions when road transport between Sgnchez and Julia Mblina is interrupted by heavy rains. In contrast to the special- ized industrial lines, the government railroad hauls general freight, with coffee and cacao perhaps heading the list. Detailed statistics on commodities and number of passengers transported are not available. The Ferrocarril Sgnchez-La Vega is all that remains of the former Ferrocarriles Unidos Dcalnicanos, which included the lines from Puerto Plata to Moca, Samang to Santiago, Sgnchez to La Vega, Las Cabuyas to Mom, and la ana to San Francisco de Mhcoris. In 1950 all services over the Puerto Plata-Salcedo section were terminated, and all of the track was torn up except for 10 kilometers in Puerto Plata, which were left to serve the port installations under the Port Authority. The line - 10 - Approved For Releas%g99,p?01/3)5 ? cliii-9P79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For ReleasceltEgitreltItLP79-01009A002700010017-4 from Las Cabwas to Mom was retired from service in 1951. Recent re- ports are not clear as to whether the La ana-Ban Francisco de Necoris line is currently in operation as a part of the Binchez-La Vega line. Whereas the government-owned railroad is of minor significance in the economy of the Dominican Republic, industrial lines play an important role in the transportation of sugarcane from the fields to the mills and in hauling bananas from the farms in the northwest to Puerto Libertador for export. Fifteen sugar companies and one banana company operate 1,478 kilometers (918 miles) of track. Gauge and length of lines, by operators, are shown in Table 2. Table 2 Industrial Rail Lines Gault_ Central Rio Haina Central Barahona Central Barahona 56-1/2" (1.435 m.) 39" (1 m.) Portable Rail Central Boca Chica 30? .762 m. Central Porvenir 30', .762m.) Central Monte Llano 28" and 20" ( .705 and Central Monte Llano 18" Portable .115 Central Quisqueia ( .762 m.) Central Ozama 30" ( .762 m.) Central Catarey 24" .610 m.) Central Consuelo 30" .762 m.) Central Santa F4 30" .762 Central Romana 56-1/2. 1.435 m.) Central Romania 36" ( .914 m.) Insenio Angelina 30" ( .762 m.) Ingenio Caei 22-1/2" .571 m.)) Ingenio Cristobal Col6n 30" .762 m.) Grenada Company 42" (1.067 m.) ??=?????????11.1.....W.111. Kilometers 183 89 123 63 63 .508 m.) 706 47 36 130 25 300 1. (129 portable) 73. 62 56 67 - u. - Approved For Release10E98120_ictili-FICE9-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Releasg2hla79etTAW79-01009A002700010017-4 In 1959, these operators owned a total of 8,648 freight cars, divided into the following categories: cane cars, 7,374; flat cars, 655; gondolas, 127; tanks, 99; and other, 393. The military or paramilitary importance of the railroads is slight because of the Short distances covered plus the fact that the various lines are not interconnecting. Economically, however, serious problems could arise fran a disruption of industrial rail service within a given plantation, where movement of the crop is geared to the use of the pri- vately owned railroads. In some instances, there are no adequate sub- stitute transport facilities to help move cane or bananas if, for any reason, the railroads were sabotaged or otherwise rendered inoperable. IV. Air Air service in the Dominican Republic has developed almost entireIY since the early 1940's, and 12 airports capable of handling commercial traffic have been constructed since that time. At present, however, most air traffic is military, and only 10 fields are operable. Since the attempted invasions in 1959, all air traffic has been under strict govern-mental surveillance; and, except for San Isidro and Trujillo Inter- national airfields, all operable fields are strung with cables to prevent landings without prior clearance. Plowed strips across the fields at La Romana and Montecristi have currently rendered both inoperable, but re- portedly service could be restored at La Romana within a day or two by using equipment from the La Romana Sugar Central. The Montecristi field had been abandoned even before the current restrictions were imposed in 1959. General Andrews field in Ciudad Trujillo was declared a public danger and was closed to traffic in December 1959. All of its former - 12 - Approved ForRelease2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 traffic is now handled by the Trujillo (International) field at Punta Caucedo. Ten additional airstrips were listed during the 19,0's as capable of providing service of some sort. Most were described as useful for emergency landings only, having surfaces of sod or natural earth. Operable airfields and possible emergency airstrips are listed in Table 3 (following p. 13) along with their locations, lengths, surfaces, and other pertinent data. V. Waterw The rivers of the Dominican Republic do not figure in the transport picture. No passenger service exists on any river, and barge traffic occurs only on the Rio Macorfs for a few miles inland. Otherwise, only the small boats owned by the natives use the rivers. - 13 - Approved For Releasec2191:1449q2D54_94:FRPZ9-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Release2tradelikit-F1479-01009A002700010017-4 Table 3 AUtialsk Name Barahona Cabo Rojo Constanza DajabOn General Andrews (Miraflores) BigUey La Romana La Vega Montecristi Presidente Trujillo (San Isidro) Location 18?14'N-71?06'W 1.6 km. (1 mi.) N of Barahona 17056'N-71?391W 14 km. (9 mi.) SE of Pedernales on Haitian border 18?53?N-70?43 ?W 3 km. (2 mi.) E of Constanza 19034'N-71041'W 1.6 km. (1 . NE of abon 18028'28"N- 69054 '29"W In C. Trujillo 18037'N-68043'w .18025?N-68?58'W N edge of Ls Romana 19?12'N-70?30'W 3 km. (2 mi.) SE of La Vega 19?51'Y-71?36'W 1.6 km. (1 mi.) NE of Montecristi 18030'N-69045,w 9.6 km. (6 mi.) NE of C. Trujillo Length and Surface of Runway 1,737 nu 0,7009 Asphalt 1,524 m, (5,0009 and 10128 116 (3,700') Caliche over sand and roc* 2,000 m. (6,5609 Asphalt 1,981 m, (6,5009 and 1,097 U6 13,6009 Ungraded turf 2,134 m, (7,000') and 1,676 16 (5,500') Asphalt 1028 m. (mow) Asphalt 914 m, (3,0009 Ungraded earth 1,067 mi. (3,500') Ungraded earth and turf 1024 U6 (5,0009 Compacted earth 2,134 m. (7,000') Asphalt and con- crete ???????????!???????????.?/....ww? Remarks Southern base for Dominican Air Force. Extensive improve- ments in 1960. Operated by Alcoa Exploration Co. New in 1959. Built in 1949; used by Air Force for re- fueling and auxiliary training Closed Dec 59; opera- tions transferred to Trujillo Airfield; still staffed by Army. Used by patrols as refueling station. Runways plowed; could be reactivated. Oper- ated by La Romana Sugar Co. Used only by the Air Force; unusable when vete Runways plowed; not operational. The main Dominican Air Force base. Approved For Releasenr982 iiiI4-IIRE79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Release-2080108MR-M-REe79-01009A002700010017-4 Table 3 (continued) Length and Surface Location utb Runway Remarks Puerto Ple.ta Santiago Trujillo, Inter- national (Punta Cauceda, Ciudad Trujillo) Azua Colon Consuelo Desadbierta Guerra RhL 22 las Lajas Pedernales Sabana de la M'ar 19047'N-70039'W 3 km. (2 mi.) SE of Puerto Plata 19029'N-70042W 1.6 km. (1 mi.) NE of Santiago 180261-69?4091 19 kms. (12 mi.) SE of C. Trujillo 1,402 MI6 (40600') Compacted coral 1,737m. (5,7009 Asphalt 2,042 14. (61000') Concrete Old Airstrips: Current Status Unknown San Alan San Pedro de Maoris 18026T-70044'W 18029'1-69051W 18032'N-69018,w 18?331i-7104,w 6 km. (3-1/2 mi.) of Tlescubierta 18?45'N-69037W 18?33'N-70?06'W 19 km, (12 mi.) NW of C. Trujillo 18?33'N-71054W (approx.) in town 18?03'N-71042'W 1.6 km. (1 mi.) N ot town 19003TN -69024'W 18?48'N-71?14 VW 18027'N-69019'W 1.6 km. (1 mi.). HE of San Pedro 792 nt. (2,6009 Earth 1,219 m. (4,000) Natural 914 m. (3,000) 853 m. (2,8009 Sod 762 in. (2,5009 853m0 (2,8009 Compacted earth Only airfield on N coast. Air Force patrols operate from here along north coast. Opened Dec 19,9. latest info. 1951 Latest info. 1956 Latest info. 1956 Latest info. 19$4 latest info. 1951 Latest info. 1956 Latest into 1951 Latest info. 1952 Latest info. 19,5 Latest info. 1956 Latest info. 1956 Approved For Releas6-20/0981W7t7eaRi3P79-01009A002700010017-4 Approved For Releam3MniiiiR-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4 CONFIDENTIAL Approved For Release 2000/08/25 : CIA-RDP79-01009A002700010017-4