The Roads---Watch for Potholes, Sunken Manholes and Non-functioning Traffic Lights.
So how are the roadways in Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria? I am no engineer but I am an everyday driver and that qualifies me to state my opinion since I know what a pothole is. Bueno, things are getting better at least on the main highways.
For those who know San Juan, I can tell you they paved in front of Plaza Las Americas, on El Expreso Las Americas, which was in disgraceful conditions. For now, it is manageable. There are areas further down the road which have their cracks, slightly lopsided slabs, or potholes but so far they are not that big. Another issue related to driving in San Juan, are that stop lights are not always working. For example, two important thoroughfares in San Juan are Ponce de Leon Avenue and Fernandez Juncos Ave. The Ponce de Leon light near Parada 18 in Santurce is not working. We are talking about about a three lane one way road that meets with a four lane road. People here seem to have never heard of a four way stop. So, they manage it cautiously. Fortunately, everyone slows down and crosses in small groups of cars. It is interesting to watch. So don't be driving fast in town.
The Expressway to Caguas is in pretty good shape but it is a nightmare to drive during the "rush hours." I try not to use that road if I can in any way avoid it during the morning or mid afternoon. A good alternative if you are coming back from the countryside is to go through Rio Piedras in the afternoon and take Piñiero after you reach the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital. Then get on the express towards Isla Verde. Rio Piedras is like a best kept secret. I think the lower traffic there is because the University of Puerto Rico's main campus is in Rio Piedras, and many students use El Tren Urbano, our light rail. This light rail which was out of service for many months has been restored and and is working well; another side of normality.
Guaynabo, streets and roads are in good condition on the most part. As recently as a month ago, they started to get their lights fixed in the area near Sta. Maria Shopping. Unfortunately, as you exit the Expressway around Guaynabo to go to Route #1 towards Caguas, that section of road is in bad shape. It needs to be repaved. This is the area across from the AEE and the InterAmerican University (Mucho ojo, DTOP!) on the road to Caguas. Most of the damaged road is on the right lane so I simply use the left lane to avoid the hole. This is how we deal with damaged roads here. We try to remember where the potholes are and plan our drive around them. I know that sounds pathetic but what choice do we have? It has been gratifying lately to see that some of the roads are getting repaired.
One significant improvement in another area of town is, La Kennedy! This is a very busy commercial area. They repaved this whole road leading to Santurce, starting just past Buchanan. It is like a dream. I don't know how many years it had been since that road had not been repaved. It was in terrible shape. I hope it stays this way. Now if you go towards the piers in Guaynabo, I am not sure the roads there are okay.
I have driven around Bayamon several times since I have been back and it is a mixed bag, mainly because secondary roads are the most neglected. On the other hand, the Expressway to Arecibo seems to be in good shape up until Dorado, which is as far as I have gone. They seem to always have construction on that road. Route 2 in Bayamon, (La #2) is acceptable. I got turned around in Bayamon from the Toa Alta exit and went towards Hato Tejas and the road was in good shape. Once you get off the main roads, that is where you have to drive more cautiously.
If it isn't the potholes it is the sunken manholes that will do you in. There is a whole section on La Baldorioty that you have to swerve around because the manholes have not been raised. This section is just before Las Minillas Tunnel. By the way, the Minillas Tunnel has not had its lights repaired so it is dark in there. You will need to turn on your headlights while in the tunnel. On the Caguas road, #1 you will find the same situation as it goes through Guaynabo, as well as, when you approach the Martinez Nadal overpass going to Los Filtros; there are three manholes that I totally avoid. Not everyone does so it makes for a cumbersome ride and cars swerving out of their lane to avoid the manholes.
So if you are new to the island, head out early to any place you are planning to go. Once on the secondary roads, slow down. You do not want to ruin your car. No quieres desbaratar tu carro!
If you live in Puerto Rico, could you please share how the roads are around your area. Perhaps, someone from the DTOP will see it and take action. Who knows!
For those who know San Juan, I can tell you they paved in front of Plaza Las Americas, on El Expreso Las Americas, which was in disgraceful conditions. For now, it is manageable. There are areas further down the road which have their cracks, slightly lopsided slabs, or potholes but so far they are not that big. Another issue related to driving in San Juan, are that stop lights are not always working. For example, two important thoroughfares in San Juan are Ponce de Leon Avenue and Fernandez Juncos Ave. The Ponce de Leon light near Parada 18 in Santurce is not working. We are talking about about a three lane one way road that meets with a four lane road. People here seem to have never heard of a four way stop. So, they manage it cautiously. Fortunately, everyone slows down and crosses in small groups of cars. It is interesting to watch. So don't be driving fast in town.
The Expressway to Caguas is in pretty good shape but it is a nightmare to drive during the "rush hours." I try not to use that road if I can in any way avoid it during the morning or mid afternoon. A good alternative if you are coming back from the countryside is to go through Rio Piedras in the afternoon and take Piñiero after you reach the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital. Then get on the express towards Isla Verde. Rio Piedras is like a best kept secret. I think the lower traffic there is because the University of Puerto Rico's main campus is in Rio Piedras, and many students use El Tren Urbano, our light rail. This light rail which was out of service for many months has been restored and and is working well; another side of normality.
Guaynabo, streets and roads are in good condition on the most part. As recently as a month ago, they started to get their lights fixed in the area near Sta. Maria Shopping. Unfortunately, as you exit the Expressway around Guaynabo to go to Route #1 towards Caguas, that section of road is in bad shape. It needs to be repaved. This is the area across from the AEE and the InterAmerican University (Mucho ojo, DTOP!) on the road to Caguas. Most of the damaged road is on the right lane so I simply use the left lane to avoid the hole. This is how we deal with damaged roads here. We try to remember where the potholes are and plan our drive around them. I know that sounds pathetic but what choice do we have? It has been gratifying lately to see that some of the roads are getting repaired.
One significant improvement in another area of town is, La Kennedy! This is a very busy commercial area. They repaved this whole road leading to Santurce, starting just past Buchanan. It is like a dream. I don't know how many years it had been since that road had not been repaved. It was in terrible shape. I hope it stays this way. Now if you go towards the piers in Guaynabo, I am not sure the roads there are okay.
I have driven around Bayamon several times since I have been back and it is a mixed bag, mainly because secondary roads are the most neglected. On the other hand, the Expressway to Arecibo seems to be in good shape up until Dorado, which is as far as I have gone. They seem to always have construction on that road. Route 2 in Bayamon, (La #2) is acceptable. I got turned around in Bayamon from the Toa Alta exit and went towards Hato Tejas and the road was in good shape. Once you get off the main roads, that is where you have to drive more cautiously.
If it isn't the potholes it is the sunken manholes that will do you in. There is a whole section on La Baldorioty that you have to swerve around because the manholes have not been raised. This section is just before Las Minillas Tunnel. By the way, the Minillas Tunnel has not had its lights repaired so it is dark in there. You will need to turn on your headlights while in the tunnel. On the Caguas road, #1 you will find the same situation as it goes through Guaynabo, as well as, when you approach the Martinez Nadal overpass going to Los Filtros; there are three manholes that I totally avoid. Not everyone does so it makes for a cumbersome ride and cars swerving out of their lane to avoid the manholes.
So if you are new to the island, head out early to any place you are planning to go. Once on the secondary roads, slow down. You do not want to ruin your car. No quieres desbaratar tu carro!
If you live in Puerto Rico, could you please share how the roads are around your area. Perhaps, someone from the DTOP will see it and take action. Who knows!
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