Entrance to Cabo Rojo: A Permanent Detour? When will the Snail Road be finished?
It seems that Cabo Rojo on the West Coast of Puerto Rico has it’s own big construction problem. But instead of the USA national embarrassment like the “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska, this project pertains to a 1 mile strip of roadway leading to a town that *wants* to thrive, not an island with 50 people.
On top of that, let’s remember that this is a 1-mile strip of road that needs repair, not a $320 MILLION bridge like the following:
Dubbed the “Bridge to Nowhere,” the bridge in Alaska would connect the town of Ketchikan (population 8,900) with its airport on the Island of Gravina (population 50) at a cost to federal taxpayers of $320 million
I am including the Bridge to Nowhere info for your perspective. It’s just as ridiculous, just as expensive in relative terms… but the big difference is that the Cabo Rojo “Snail” Road is *very important to the town*. I am calling it Snail road because of how damn slowly it is getting built… of course.
So the question is: What is happening in Cabo Rojo that this short piece of road way cannot be finished? I have it calculated at being in construction phase for about 3 years. Locals tell me it’s more.
Traffic is congested within the pueblo. During rush hour it’s even more painful. Most drivers are taking the alternative entrance into the town, or forcing themselves along the detour route where they have to be careful to avoid picking off the side view mirrors of parked cars (sometimes unsuccessfully) and kids!
Is the government project sponsor aware of the importance of infrastructure like roads economically?
When transportation decision-makers at the federal, state, and local levels discuss possible investments in highway infrastructure and the impacts, they sometimes overlook one very important potential impact – the economic benefits to national productivity and employment.
Do you want to know how the world will view Cabo Rojo? Do you want to know what they will tell others? Consider the following excerpt from The Discovery Channel’s book called “Insight Guides: Puerto Rico“:
But for those to whom the name “Cabo Rojo” has become synonymous with isolated retreats and breathtaking vistas, the town of Cabo Rojo comes as a bit of a disappointment.
What a legacy to the world, right? It could be improved… if the government provides the right infrastructure to allow the town to thrive. Regardless of the image the town might portray, it’s not filled with a bunch of empty coconut heads. Take for instance the local pet store. The owner of that came fresh out of school, did an extensive market research study on the area, before deciding that there was an opportunity in the pet sector. He sets an example for others to follow. But they need support… and they definitely need a completed, non-obstructed roadway into the town.
Cabo Rojo is going to greatly benefit economically from the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2010. Is the pueblo going to be left out because of traffic jams? Are all those thousands of tourists going to go away telling their friends how horrible it trying to get to the pueblo, or writing on the Internet for all *future* prospective tourists to see?
2010. I must be exaggerating… to suggest it might not be done by then. But why? It’s already been over 3 years for a 1 mile stretch of Cabo Rojo’s Snail Road.
Welcome? Or Welcome to the Detour?
I am going to forward this to the mayor’s office. Give yourself power and call (787-851-1025), email (ciudadcaborojo@yahoo.com), or write to them as well. Tell them you want to know why Snail Road had not been finished yet, and what they are doing about it.
Municipio Autónomo de Cabo Rojo Calle Barbosa # 34 Cabo Rojo, PR 00623
Readers: If you have information about the contractor’s responsible for the roadway project, issues that have lead to its delay, direct contacts that may have info on the matter or pictures of the travesty, please let me know so that I can update this entry.
The Insider
PS – Pertaining to roadways and beautification, I hope that Cabo Rojo strives not to make the mistake Mayaguez made recently.
Sources:
The Economic Importance of the National Highway System
Insight Guides: Puerto Rico (Discovery Channel), pg. 203, “To the point”. ISBN: 978-981-234-949-1
