Above: a graphic of the planned Sciences Boulevard and City of Sciences project (Photo: OG Puerto Rico)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Sciences Boulevard project began construction on Saturday in Puerto Rico.

The project, which includes $16 million in public investment, aims to improve traffic conditions and access on Puerto Rico’s PR-21 road, which will be the main artery to the island’s large-scale City of Sciences area.

“We have to update our country’s infrastructure to achieve the competitive level that will allow us to produce more and with better quality,” said Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla, who launched construction alongside United States Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
The City of Sciences is slated to include the Medical Center, the Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Molecular Sciences Building and the Science and Technology Trust and other facilities.

“Improving one of San Juan’s busiest interstates is good news for the entire island, and will help grow jobs and businesses,” Foxx said. “We need Congress to pass a long-term transportation bill so we can continue investing in projects like this one to improve safety, reduce traffic congestion and create ‘ladders of opportunity’ for thousands.”

The project is expected to create 150 jobs during the construction phase.