The Frank Rainieri Tourist Boulevard in Punta Cana–Bávaro is now completely illuminated, following the official commissioning of a large-scale solar lighting project led by the RD Vial Trust. This milestone marks the formal start of the National Road Lighting Program, a countrywide initiative designed to improve nighttime visibility and enhance road safety on the Dominican Republic’s main highways and strategic corridors.
More than 1,600 solar-powered streetlights have been installed as part of the project. Over 1,000 units are positioned along the central stretch of the Frank Rainieri Tourist Boulevard, while an additional 600 lights were placed on internal roads in Bávaro, the Verón ring road, and several alternative relief routes that serve daily commuters, residents, hotel staff, and tourists. This integrated intervention directly strengthens one of the nation’s most dynamic areas in terms of tourism, employment, and investment.
The lighting system is based on modern photovoltaic technology. Each streetlight incorporates an integrated solar panel, battery, and LED fixture, allowing it to operate autonomously without requiring connection to the conventional power grid. This configuration reduces dependence on traditional electrical infrastructure, improves energy efficiency, lowers maintenance and operating costs, and supports the Dominican Republic’s goals for environmental sustainability. At the same time, it guarantees consistent, high-quality lighting for drivers, pedestrians, and local businesses during nighttime hours.
According to Hostos Rizik Lugo, director of the RD Vial Trust, the project represents a substantial step forward in road safety. By improving visibility and reducing dark stretches along one of the country’s busiest tourist corridors, the initiative helps to mitigate accident risks associated with night driving and uneven lighting conditions.
The National Road Lighting Program, executed in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), is already being implemented on several priority routes. Corridors such as Las Américas Avenue, Ecológica Avenue, and strategic segments of the Duarte Highway have been incorporated into the plan, and now the Punta Cana–Bávaro zone joins this network of safer, better-illuminated roads.
With the completion of the lighting project on the Frank Rainieri Tourist Boulevard, the government reinforces its public commitment to developing modern, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure. For residents, hotel workers, and the thousands of visitors who use this route daily to access beaches, resorts, commercial centers, and service areas, the new lighting translates into a safer, more pleasant, and more competitive destination—both for living and for investing in the Punta Cana–Bávaro region.
