Overview:
Building has begun on a long-awaited in Haiti’s Northwest Jean-Rabel–Port-de-Paix highway, however residents are involved about the way in which the Haitian authorities has approached the vital highway building mission within the area, saying it deserves a sturdy paved highway—not one other momentary dust roadway.
PORT-DE-PAIX — Building has begun on a long-awaited highway mission in Haiti’s Northwest however many residents concern the federal government is as soon as once more settling for momentary repairs as a substitute of constructing the sturdy paved freeway the area has sought for many years.
The federal government allotted 377 million gourdes, or almost $3 million, within the nationwide finances to rehabilitate the almost 30-mile Jean-Rabel–Port-de-Paix hall. Residents say, nonetheless, that the preliminary part seems to give attention to a compacted dust roadway fairly than a completely paved freeway able to withstanding heavy rains and supporting long-term financial growth.
“Why are nationwide roads nonetheless being constructed as dust roads as a substitute of being paved with asphalt or one other sturdy resolution?” Jean-Rabel resident Erone Dorestant requested. “In 2026, Haiti needs to be investing in infrastructure that meets trendy requirements.”
“The preliminary 50 million gourdes allotted to start the mission shouldn’t be sufficient. We are going to nonetheless give attention to essentially the most susceptible sections of this highway. The subsequent two funding installments, that are considerably bigger, will enable us to construct roughly 12.9 miles of paved roadway.”
Angelot Oracius Joseph, MTPTC Northwest director
Farmer Winel Casimir echoed that sentiment.
“The individuals of the Northwest deserve trendy, high-quality infrastructure,” the 35-year-old mentioned. “It’s time for the central authorities to begin treating us like each different citizen of this nation.”
The highway has lengthy been thought of one of many Northwest’s most pressing infrastructure wants. Throughout the wet season, massive sections develop into almost impassable, isolating communities, disrupting commerce and limiting entry to healthcare, training and public companies.
Certainly, the Jean-Rabel–Port-de-Paix hall is taken into account important to the Northwest’s economic system as a result of it hyperlinks agricultural communities with the departmental capital. Residents argue {that a} sturdy asphalt or concrete highway would scale back transportation prices, enhance market entry and higher join one in all Haiti’s most remoted areas to the remainder of the nation.
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Roadwork continues round a small bridge in Guillette locality alongside the Jean-Rabel–Port-de-Paix hall on Monday, July 20, 2026. Courtesy of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MTPTC).
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Tools deployed alongside the Jean-Rabel–Port-de-Paix highway beneath building. Picture courtesy of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MTPTC). -
Tools deployed alongside the Jean-Rabel–Port-de-Paix highway beneath building. Picture courtesy of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MTPTC). -
A bit of the Jean-Rabel–Port-de-Paix highway in Morne Thalès, just a few kilometers outdoors Port-de-Paix, is being rehabilitated with a mud floor as seen on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Courtesy of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MTPTC).
Undertaking is a part of broader effort to construct dependable transport infrastructure
In saying the mission, the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MTPTC) mentioned the rehabilitation is a part of a broader effort to enhance transportation in one in all Haiti’s most remoted areas.
“Our aim is to modernize the highway community and sustainably enhance the mobility of individuals and items, with precedence given to the nation’s most difficult-to-access areas,” Public Works Minister Joseph Almathe Pierre-Louis mentioned.
Many within the Northwest, nonetheless, query whether or not the mission will obtain that goal for them.
Others warned towards repeating a sample of short-lived initiatives within the area, alluding to different stalled infrastructure packages, together with the development of an international airport in Port-à-l’Ecu and a $15-million road connecting Port-de-Paix and Saint-Louis-du-Nord to Anse-à-Foleur.
Nearly two months after officials announced a restart and 20 years after it first started, residents see no activity at the Port-à-l’Écu International Airport construction site
“If the government cannot truly solve the problem, it should stop creating false hope,” John Vital said. “This road should be built according to engineering standards and paved with asphalt.”
The criticism follows months of government announcements about improving road infrastructure across the Northwest. Earlier this year, officials said they planned to rehabilitate nearly 30 miles of roads in the department as part of broader efforts to improve regional connectivity.
Residents of coastal communities connecting Port-de-Paix to Anse-à-Foleur voice anger after five months of inactivity on the long-awaited road project.
Local officials acknowledge that the project will be completed in phases, blaming a budget shortfall.
Angelot Oracius Joseph, the MTPTC’s departmental director for the Northwest, said the first allocation of 50 million gourdes, approximately $385,000, is intended to stabilize the road’s worst sections while additional funding is secured.
“The initial 50 million gourdes allocated to begin the project is not enough,” Joseph told local news outlet SC.Info. “We are going to nonetheless give attention to essentially the most susceptible sections of this highway. The subsequent two funding installments, that are considerably bigger, will enable us to construct roughly 12.5 miles of paved roadway.”
Jean-Rabel Mayor Marc Déjean welcomed the beginning of building however acknowledged that residents anticipate greater than momentary enhancements.
“The situation of this highway has been vital for years,” Déjean mentioned. “Each time it rains, mud could make it unattainable for autos to go for weeks.”
For a lot of residents, the mission represents a check of whether or not the federal government can ship lasting infrastructure fairly than one other short-term rehabilitation.