From Foot Traffic To Commuter Rail Service

The indigenous people of the island of Puerto Rico opened roads from bodies of water and other villages to communicate with the conucos (Portion of land that the Taino Indians engaged in farming). Although the roads were narrow for foot traffic only, some were enlarged by the Spanish colonization. Many of them exist today.

The construction of roads and highways of Puerto Rico began consistently since the 1850's. Road construction became a business. The need of maintenance and change of roads are necessary since they are vulnerable to geographic factors such as rain, wind, floods and landslides, and they are also exposed to other deterioration caused by the continuous movement of people, animals and vehicles.

Many nature defenders protest against construction. I understand that Mother Nature is our lungs and the provider of food. I do agree with the construction of roads that will provide people to move away from the filled up urban life. It also enables people that live in the country the access to the services provided in the urban area.

During the last third of the 19^th century, the main roads of the island benefited from the work of people who devoted their time to the conservation of these roads. Known as road workers, these men were responsible to care for and maintain good roads in the country. They were assigned a specific section of the road. The laborers lived with their families in houses built especially for them with government funds to ensure their permanence in their jobs.

• These houses were the best in the region.
• They were built of lime and rock with beams made of valuable resistant wood.
• They also had several rooms and a refreshing natural ventilation system.
• Two families shared the space of these houses, which also included a bathroom and a kitchen.
• On one side of the house lived a laborer and an apprentice on the other side, who assisted in the work of the road conservation.
• The houses were located along the entire road a few kilometers apart.

You could still see many of these houses in good shape and others in S.O.S. condition.

The Department of Transportation of Puerto Rico (DTOP) is doing a good job providing transportation alternatives such as over waters. There are two ferry stations operating in Puerto Rico; the Aqua Espresso in Fajardo and the station in the hub I wrote: Crossing The San Juan Bay.

The DTOP of Puerto Rico is constructing new roads and extending others. The route 66 is an excellent access from Carolina to Rio Grande and it is still in construction to keep the extension of the road going to other municipalities.

The Commuter Rail service, although it is the latest method of mass transportation in Puerto Rico, has become one of the vehicles most used by citizens of the metropolitan area. Using this modern transport system can avoid traffic congestion and get you to your destination quick and easy. No need to use your car to get where you want to go, and it is incredibly economic. Our "urban train", operates a convenient schedule from 5:30am to 11:30pm daily and it is 75¢ for a one-way ticket.

The actual construction of the Urban Metro will connect with the Toa Baja Commuter Rail stations along the highway in Bayamon, Puerto Rico #22. This new system of rapid buses (Bus Transit System) has two lanes that are built into the De Diego Expressway. Investment in the project exceeds $76 million, mostly in state funding.

The possibility of transporting from one place to another is given by the combination of material factors, humans abilities and animal help; among which are the infrastructures such as: roads, railways, canals, ports and airports; and transport such as: horses, trains, boats, cars and airplanes.

Isn't it wonderful to see the evolution of transportation? Proverbs 2:6 says: "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

I hope you can come and visit this wonderful island! Blessings to all!

© Maria Magdalena Ruiz O'Farrill