The road maintenance program in the province of Santiago de Cuba is projected to repair only 10% of the infrastructure in 2024, a significant decline from the 18% achieved in 2023.
The state-run newspaper Sierra Maestra touted the improvement of at least 10% of the roads in Santiago de Cuba amidst the "current economic limitations," a statement that seems to overlook the severity of the situation in a province with high daily accident rates.
The government-aligned news portal quoted engineer Gilberto Romero Saunder, coordinator of programs and objectives for the Provincial Government, who claimed that "27,400 tons of hot asphalt and around 4,000 tons of cold asphalt" would be available for road improvements.
These figures fall short of the 80,000 tons of hot asphalt mix laid in 2023 on the streets and highways of Santiago de Cuba, highlighting the deep economic crisis affecting the nation.
The official attempted to justify the limited rehabilitation program by citing shortages of fuel, lubricants, and funding, arguing that it aligns with the country's current capabilities.
Key Road Projects and Ongoing Challenges
Among the repaired roads, Romero mentioned the Carretera de la Gran Piedra, a 14 km stretch undergoing repairs after years of neglect, and the Laguna Blanca road in the municipality of Contramaestre, covering nearly 20 km.
He also highlighted work in El Cobre and the Country Club road to address issues like leaks. Currently, efforts are focused on Chicharrones, a neighborhood plagued by frequent water supply problems without a definitive solution.
Romero suggested cold asphalt as a more economical solution for patching potholes under current conditions.
However, he admitted that street and highway improvement efforts in the municipalities of Palma Soriano, San Luis, Contramaestre, and Tercer Frente are hampered by transportation difficulties.
Recently, the poor condition of a road in Holguín caused an accident when a truck fell into a massive pothole that occupied half of a street in the town of Banes. A report in the Facebook group "ACCIDENTES BUSES & CAMIONES, por más experiencia y menos víctimas." showed the overturned vehicle after it fell into the water-filled pothole.
Similarly, a resident of Matanzas recently criticized the poor state of his street's pavement, comparing the water-filled potholes to swimming pools. Enelio Suárez posted an image on Facebook of his street littered with water-filled holes, stating, "Not to brag, but I live in a neighborhood where every house has a pool."
Understanding Santiago de Cuba's Road Maintenance Challenges
The following questions and answers provide additional insights into the road maintenance issues and challenges faced by Santiago de Cuba.
Why is the road maintenance in Santiago de Cuba expected to decline in 2024?
The decline is due to severe economic constraints, including shortages of fuel, lubricants, and funding.
What are the main roads undergoing repairs in Santiago de Cuba?
Key roads include the Carretera de la Gran Piedra and the Laguna Blanca road in Contramaestre, among others.
How does the use of cold asphalt benefit road maintenance efforts?
Cold asphalt is considered more economical under the current economic conditions, making it a practical solution for patching potholes.