Puerto Rico Highway 2

Puerto Rico Highway 2 (PR-2) is a road in Puerto Rico that connects the cities of San Juan and Ponce. At 156 miles (230 km) long, it is Puerto Rico's longest singled-signed highway.[3]

Highway 2
PR-2 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by Puerto Rico DTPW
Length230.2 km[1] (143.0 mi)
ExistedLate 1940s[2]–present
Major junctions
From PR-1 / PR-133 in San Antón
 
To PR-26 in Santurce
Location
MunicipalitiesPonce, Peñuelas, Guayanilla, Yauco, Guánica, Sabana Grande, San Germán, Hormigueros, Mayagüez, Añasco, Aguada, Aguadilla, Isabela, Quebradillas, Camuy, Hatillo, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Manatí, Vega Baja, Vega Alta, Dorado, Toa Baja, Bayamón, Guaynabo, San Juan
Highway system
PR-1 PR-3

The road runs counter-clockwise from San Juan to Ponce. PR-2 runs parallel to the northern coast of Puerto Rico (west of San Juan), then parallel to the west coast from near Aguadilla running south through Mayagüez. Shortly after Mayagüez, the road runs somewhat inland (through Hormigueros, San German and Sabana Grande) until it reaches the southern coast of Puerto Rico at Yauco, and continues to run parallel the southern shore as it approaches Ponce from the west. In addition to Arecibo, Aguadilla, and Mayagüez, the road runs through various other cities including Guaynabo, Bayamón, San Germán and Yauco.[4] In some sections the road is a four-lane highway while in other sections the road is either a six-lane or eight-lane highway.

The section of PR-2 from Ponce to the PR-22 interchange in Hatillo forms part of the unsigned Interstate Highway PRI-2. PRI-2 originally included the entire route of PR-2 until the construction of PR-22, which has since been assigned the PRI-2 designation from its western terminus in Hatillo to its eastern terminus in San Juan.

History

PR-2 has been in use for many decades. It was initially a 2-lane road. It experienced enhancements throughout the years. In the northern coast of the island, the need for a better road was addressed with the construction of PR-22, a new 4-lane road parallel to PR-2.

In the southern and southwestern part of the island, this need was addressed by improvements to the exiting PR-2 road, which was already a 4-lane road. In this stretch, during the mid 2000s to early 2010s, the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) converted most segments of PR-2 between Mayagüez and Ponce into a limited access expressway. The segment between Hormigueros and San German, in particular, suffered from several at-grade intersections that slowed down travel time considerably. In an effort to increase the controlled access, freeway-style character of the highway, all at-grade intersections were either replaced by overpasses or eliminated altogether. The last intersection to be converted was PR-2's intersection with PR-345 in Hormigueros.

As for the western section of PR-2, the DTOP has also eyed the stretch between Mayaguez to Aguadilla for conversion into a freeway. This would occur between the future western terminus of Puerto Rico Highway 22 in Aguadilla to the Mayaguez city limits.[5] The PR-22 extension to Aguadilla was planned for completion in 2016,[5] and freeway conversion of the Aguadilla-to-Mayaguez segment of PR-2 was slanted to begin shortly afterward.

Route description

PR-2 near Caparra

San Juan to Hatillo

Puerto Rico Highway 2 starts off in San Juan as an 8-lane road and heads west roughly parallel to the northern shore of the island. It makes its way through the Caparra section of San Juan, intersecting with Route 22, which provides access to San Juan's Santurce ward and to the cities of Carolina and Caguas. Heading west, PR-2 traverses the cities of Guaynabo and Bayamon as a heavily used road. In addition to numerous residential communities, PR-2 also provides access to malls, movie theaters, restaurants, hospitals, and various colleges and universities, among other facilities in this area.

PR-2 in Bayamón

The road then serves the towns of Toa Baja, Dorado, and Vega Baja and Vega Alta. In these areas the road experiences heavy traffic and many at-grade intersections with multiple traffic lights. Continuing west, Puerto Rico Highway 2 next serves the industrial towns of Manati and Barceloneta providing access to several pharmaceutical companies, among other sources of employment outside the agricultural sector. In this area the road is also the main road to intersections leading to the beaches of Los Tubos, Mar Chiquita, Tortuguero, Puerto de las Vacas, and Las Criollas.

The next major city on this road is Arecibo. As one of Puerto Rico's major cities, Arecibo provides a number of facilities not available in some of the neighboring towns. PR-2 also intersects with PR-10 for access to the interior of the island as well as Ponce on the southern shore. After Arecibo the road then makes it way to the town of Hatillo where it meets with the current western terminus of the new PR-22 expressway.[3]

PR-2 in Aguadilla

Hatillo to Mayagüez

West of its interchange with PR-22 in Hatillo, PR-2 becomes a primary road and meets several important highways that serve the center of the island such as PR-119, PR-110 and PR-112. This stretch of the highway contains a multitude of traffic lights. Following Hatillo the roads traverses the towns of Camuy, Quebradillas and Isabela. At Isabela, PR-2 provides access to roads leading to various beaches, including Blue Hole, Guajataca, and Jobos.

In the city of Aguadilla, PR-2 turns south at its intersection with PR-107, on its course towards the western city and seaport of Mayagüez. In this area Puerto Rico Highway 2 provides access to Aguadilla's Rafael Hernandez airport, as well as to various area beach resorts. The trip from Aguadilla to Mayagüez takes about 30 minutes, and PR-2 has fewer traffic lights in this stretch of the road than those experienced so far anywhere from its San Juan terminus starting point.

PR-2 in Mayagüez

Mayagüez/Hormigueros

PR-2 is a major 6-lane highway in Mayagüez, which is one of the major cities in Puerto Rico. It intersect with PR-102 and PR-64, which serve as by-pass routes. The farm to market PR-102 highway also has access to PR-2 through the new Puerto Rico Highway 63, another important intersection of Puerto Rico Highway 2. As it traverses the city of Mayaguez, PR-2 is the main road for access to the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and the Mayaguez Zoo. Also, further south, PR-2 provides access to the Mayagüez Mall, which is Puerto Rico's third largest shopping center and several medical facilities. The road then continues south through the municipality of Hormigueros.

PR-2 as a freeway in San Germán. Continues this way until Ponce

Hormigueros to Ponce

Heading southeastward passed Hormigueros, PR-2 becomes a four-lane controlled-access freeway in its way to Ponce. It has several exits in the municipalities of San Germán, Sabana Grande, Guánica, Yauco, Guayanilla and Peñuelas. In this agricultural section, PR-2 provides access to some of Puerto Rico's southern beaches, such as Boqueron. The road is also within a few minutes' drive from the Guanica Dry Forest state park.

As the road makes its way through the hills of Peñuelas' barrio Tallaboa, the ruins of the abandoned 1970s CORCO oil refinery as well as its PPG supplier are visible to the right. Puerto Rico Highway 2 provides access to many rural communities in this stretch of the road. As it approaches Ponce, PR-2 becomes an 8-lane divided highway again. Before its entry to the municipality of Ponce, Peñón de Ponce is a prominent promontory to the left of the road while El Tuque beach will be visible to the right. There are also various hotels in the area. In the Las Cucharas section of this area, there is also a good selection of restaurants by the shore, serving mostly seafood. Construction of the Ponce-to-Peñuelas stretch of PR-2 was completed in the early 1960s after construction work that began with the building of bridges over Rio Matilde, Rio Portugues, and Rio Bucana.[6]

PR-2 in Ponce

Ponce

Map of the southern terminus of PR-2 in the municipality of Ponce

The road is an 8-lane divided highway in its western approach to Ponce. After its intersection with the PR-52 expressway, the road becomes a 6-lane at-grade roadway in the city of Ponce. It provides access to barrios Canas, Playa, Canas Urbano, San Anton, Bucana, and Sabanetas. It provides access to four of Ponce's beaches, to the Damas and Dr. Pila hospitals, to various shopping plazas including the Plaza del Caribe Mall and Centro del Sur Mall, the Puerto Rico Judicial Center, the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce, the Mercedita Airport, and numerous restaurants and other facilities. The PR-2 segment corresponding to the city of Ponce was built in the late 1940s and is known as the "Ponce By-Pass",[2] since it was used to "bypass" the urban and commercial city center when traveling due east from western towns such as Guayanilla, Yauco, San German, and Mayaguez, to towns in eastern Puerto Rico such as Salinas, Guayama, Cayey, Caguas, and San Juan. The section of PR-2 between Guayanilla and Ponce opened in 1965.[7]

As the road makes its way through the city of Ponce, it is also known as the Ponce Bypass.[8] The Ponce Bypass intersects with seven major roads: PR-2R (Carretera Pampanos), with access to the Estadio Francisco Montaner; PR-585 (Avenida Eduardo Ruberte), which leads to barrio Playa; PR-123 (Avenida Hostos), leading to the Museo de Arte de Ponce and historic downtown Ponce; PR-12 (Avenida Santiago de los Caballeros), leading to La Guancha Boardwalk and the Port of the Americas; and PR-163 (Avenida Julio Enrique Monagas) leading to Julio Enrique Monagas Family Park and Museo de Arte de Ponce. The road's last intersection in Ponce as well as its western terminus is at its intersection with PR-133 westbound (Calle Comercio, a.k.a. Avenida Ednita Nazario) and PR-1 eastbound (Avenida La Ceiba). PR-133 heads west to Ceiba Tree Park and PR-1 heads east to Mercedita Airport. After this dual intersection at PR-133/PR-1 the road seamlessly becomes a 4-lane thoroughfare called Miguel A. Pou Boulevard, the city's main artery into the Ponce Historic Zone.

Improvements and PR-22

Due to the high population density on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, a new, limited access expressway, PR-22 (also known as Autopista José de Diego), was built parallel to highway PR-2. The goal was to reduce congestion on highway PR-2. Highway PR-22 has several exits that provide access to highway PR-2. Highway PR-22 ends in the municipality of Hatillo, just west of the city of Arecibo. In Hatillo, highway PR-2 meets highway PR-22. During its entire length, from San Juan to Hatillo, the two highways run parallel with each other. Plans are in place to extend PR-22 to Aguadilla.[9]

Municipalities served

PR-2 in Caparra
Tacoma pick-up on PR-2, with water and flag, after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico

PR-2 runs through 26 municipalities. Cataño, Rincón, Cabo Rojo and Lajas are the only coastal municipalities in Puerto Rico (west of San Juan and Ponce) that PR-2 does not pass in the way from San Juan to Ponce, though PR-2 is less than one mile from the limits between Hormigueros and Cabo Rojo at its intersection with PR-100. PR-2 passes through a small segment of the municipality of Guánica, only slightly over a mile long. PR-2 also passes near Moca in the vicinity of Aguadilla, less than a mile away.

The following are the municipalities through which PR-2 runs, in counterclockwise from San Juan to Ponce:

Major intersections

MunicipalityLocationkm[1]miExitDestinationsNotes
PonceSan Antón230.2143.0 PR-1 / PR-133 west (Avenida Ednita Nazario) to PR-52 (Autopista Luis A. Ferré) Ponce, San JuanClockwise terminus of PR-2; PR-52 exit 99A
229.5–
229.4
142.6–
142.5
PR-163 north (Avenida Julio Enrique Monagas) Ponce
228.7142.1 PR-12 (Avenida Santiago de los Caballeros) to PR-52 (Autopista Luis A. Ferré) Ponce, San Juan, Juana DíazPR-52 exit 104A; diamond interchange
Playa227.7141.5 PR-123 (Avenida Eugenio María de Hostos) Ponce
Canas UrbanoPlaya line226.1–
226.0
140.5–
140.4
PR-585 (Avenida Eduardo Ruberté Bisó) Ponce
225.7–
225.6
140.2–
140.2
PR-2R north (Carretera Pámpanos) / PR-5549 Ponce
Canas224.9139.7 PR-9 north (Avenida Baramaya) PonceWestern terminus of Ponce Bypass; eastern terminus of Expreso Roberto Sánchez Vilella; partial cloverleaf interchange
224.6139.6224 PR-52 north (Autopista Luis A. Ferré) San Juan, Santa Isabel, Playa
PeñuelasEncarnación214.5133.3214 PR-127 Tallaboa PonientePartial cloverleaf interchange
Tallaboa Saliente213.2–
213.1
132.5–
132.4
213 PR-385 (Desvío Ángel Miguel Candelario Arce) PeñuelasPartial cloverleaf interchange
GuayanillaMagas206.9128.6207 PR-127 Guayanilla, MagasDiamond interchange
Jaguas204.8127.3205 PR-132 north (Carretera Juan C. Torres Irizarry) / PR-136 (Avenida Pedro Albizu Campos) Guayanilla, PeñuelasDiamond interchange
YaucoJácana199.6124.0200 PR-359 (Carretera General Mihiel Gilormini Pacheco) Yauco, CambalacheDiamond interchange
Susúa Baja198.1123.1198 PR-128 (Avenida Pedro Albizu Campos) / PR-3334 YaucoDiamond interchange
GuánicaSusúa Baja194.3–
194.2
120.7–
120.7
194 PR-116 south (Avenida Manuel "Pito" Pagán Ramírez) Guánica, Lajas, PargueraTrumpet interchange
Sabana GrandeRayo186.4–
186.3
115.8–
115.8
187 PR-117 Lajas, PargueraDiamond interchange
183.0113.7183 To PR-121 (Avenida Vicente Quilinche) / Calle Martínez Vega Sabana GrandeDiamond interchange
San GermánMinillas180.5112.2181 PR-102 Sabana GrandeDiamond interchange
Caín Alto175.1–
175.0
108.8–
108.7
174 PR-122 south (Avenida Ángel Casto Pérez) San Germán, Lajas, PargueraPartial cloverleaf interchange
Caín Bajo173.0–
172.9
107.5–
107.4
172 PR-119 Maricao, Las MaríasWestern terminus of Expreso Roberto Sánchez Vilella; southeastern terminus of Expreso Eugenio María de Hostos; diamond interchange
HormiguerosHormigueros barrio-pueblo163.5101.6163–162 PR-309 / PR-319 south Hormigueros
Guanajibo161.2100.2161 PR-100 south (Avenida Antonio J. "Tony" Fas Alzamora) Cabo RojoTrumpet interchange
160.499.7 PR-343 Hormigueros
MayagüezSábalos158.2–
158.1
98.3–
98.2
PR-2R north (Calle Ramón Emeterio Betances) / PR-114 south (Avenida Santa Teresa Jornet) Mayagüez
Mayagüez barrio-pueblo156.2–
156.1
97.1–
97.0
PR-63 west (Avenida William C. Dunscombe) Joyuda
153.895.6 PR-2R south (Bulevar Alfonso Valdés Cobián) Mayagüez
Mayagüez barrio-puebloMiradero line152.9–
152.8
95.0–
94.9
PR-3108 east (Paseo Juan Mari Brás) Algarrobos, MiraderoNorthwestern terminus of Expreso Eugenio María de Hostos; southern terminus of Expreso Miguel A. García Méndez
Mayagüez barrio-pueblo152.594.8 PR-102 Zona PortuariaNo left turn from PR-2 southbound; no access across PR-2
Algarrobos151.1–
151.0
93.9–
93.8
PR-104 (Carretera Dr. Victoriano Quintana Muñiz) Algarrobos
Sabanetas149.092.6 PR-64 (Avenida Alcalde Benjamín Cole Vázquez) / PR-342 El Maní, Miradero, Sabanetas
Río Grande de Añasco146.4–
146.3
91.0–
90.9
Puente Salcedo[10]
AñascoAñasco Abajo145.7–
145.6
90.5–
90.5
PR-109 east / PR-115 west (Avenida Profesor Tomás Bonilla Feliciano) Añasco, RincónNorthern terminus of Expreso Miguel A. García Méndez; southwestern terminus of Expreso Rafael Hernández, "El Jibarito"
Caracol143.188.9 PR-402 Añasco, Rincón
Quebrada Larga141.387.8 PR-110 (Carretera Pedro "Don Pello" Acevedo Hernández) Marías
AguadaGuanábano134.483.5 PR-417 Aguada, Naranjo
AguadillaVictoria130.581.1 PR-111 east (Carretera Enrique Laguerre) / PR-1107 north (Avenida Victoria) to PR-115 (Avenida Profesor Tomás Bonilla Feliciano) Aguadilla, Aguada, MocaPartial cloverleaf interchange
Caimital Bajo127.679.3128 PR-2R west (Avenida San Carlos) AguadillaTrumpet interchange
125.878.2 PR-107 north (Carretera Pedro Albizu Campos) – Punta Borinquen, Aeropuerto Rafael HernándezNortheastern terminus of Expreso Rafael Hernández, "El Jibarito"; western terminus of Carretera José Joaquín "Yiye" Ávila
Caimital AltoCeiba Baja line119.574.3 PR-110 north (Avenida Miguel Ángel García Méndez) – Punta Borinquen, Aeropuerto Rafael HernándezWestern terminus of PR-110 concurrency
Ceiba Baja118.373.5 PR-110 (Carretera Pedro "Don Pello" Acevedo Hernández) MocaEastern terminus of PR-110 concurrency; eastern terminus of Carretera José Joaquín "Yiye" Ávila
IsabelaGuerrero113.170.3 PR-112 (Carretera Luis A. "Toñito" Pérez) Arenales BajosWestern terminus of PR-112 concurrency
GuerreroMora line112.970.2 PR-112 (Avenida Sargento Agustín Ramos Calero) IsabelaEastern terminus of PR-112 concurrency
GuerreroArenales Bajos
Mora tripoint
112.069.6 PR-212 north (Carretera Santiago Polanco Abreu) / PR-4494 (Avenida Félix Aldarondo Santiago) Isabela
Coto105.165.3 PR-113 IsabelaWestern terminus of PR-113 concurrency
Río Guajataca104.464.9Puente Elvira[10]
QuebradillasTerranova103.664.4 PR-113 QuebradillasEastern terminus of PR-113 concurrency
Camuy
No major junctions
HatilloHatillo barrio-pueblo87.9–
87.8
54.6–
54.6
PR-130 (Avenida Pablo J. Aguilar) Hatillo, Lares
HatilloHatillo barrio-pueblo line86.553.7 PR-119 (Avenida Doctor Francisco Susoni) Hatillo
Carrizales83.051.6 PR-22 east (Autopista José de Diego) Lares, Utuado, San JuanTrumpet interchange
AreciboArecibo barrio-pueblo77.348.0 PR-129 south (Avenida San Luis) Lares
76.147.3 PR-10 south to PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) Utuado, San JuanPR-22 exit 75A
Factor65.340.6 PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) / PR-683 Manatí, Morovis, San Juan, Hatillo, Aguadilla, MayagüezPR-22 exit 64
BarcelonetaFlorida Afuera58.2–
58.1
36.2–
36.1
PR-140 (Carretera Benito de Jesús Negrón) Barceloneta, Florida
55.734.6 PR-140 (Carretera Benito de Jesús Negrón) to PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) Barceloneta, San Juan, AreciboPR-22 exit 55
ManatíCoto Norte48.4–
48.3
30.1–
30.0
PR-149 (Carretera Fernando "Nando" Otero Sánchez) to PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) Ciales, San Juan, Barceloneta, AreciboPR-22 exit 48
Vega BajaAlgarrobo42.826.6 PR-137 south (Expreso Ángel "Tony" Laureano Martínez) to PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) Morovis, San Juan, AreciboPR-22 exits 42 and 42A
Cabo Caribe37.823.5 PR-155 (Calle Ramón Emeterio Betances) / PR-688 Vega Baja
Río Abajo37.523.3 PR-160 Almirante Norte
Vega AltaBajura33.821.0 PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) Bayamón, San Juan, Arecibo, MayagüezPR-22 exit 32; partial cloverleaf interchange
Espinosa29.018.0 PR-694 north to PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) Maguayo, Higuillar, San Juan, AreciboPR-22 exit 27
DoradoMaguayoEspinosa line25.916.1 PR-142 south (Carretera José Antonio "Sonny" Rodríguez Ortiz) CorozalTrumpet interchange
Río Lajas23.514.6 PR-165 south / PR-693 north (Avenida Édgar Martínez Salgado) Dorado, Toa Alta, CorozalWestern terminus of PR-165 concurrency
Río de la Plata23.414.5Puente de la Virgencita
Toa BajaMedia Luna22.614.0 PR-165 north to PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) Toa Baja, San Juan, AreciboEastern terminus of PR-165 concurrency; PR-22 exits 22 and 22B; trumpet interchange
BayamónHato Tejas15.19.4 PR-29 (Avenida Main Oeste) Cataño, San Juan
14.38.9 PR-168 (Avenida Cementerio Nacional) Hato Tejas
Bayamón barrio-pueblo11.97.4 PR-167 (Avenida Ramón Luis Rivera) Bayamón, Naranjito, Comerío
11.5–
11.4
7.1–
7.1
PR-5 (Expreso Río Hondo) Bayamón, Cataño, San Juan, Arecibo, Aguas BuenasSingle-point urban interchange
Juan Sánchez9.86.1 PR-6 north (Calle San José) Cataño
GuaynaboPueblo Viejo6.44.0 PR-19 (Avenida Luis Vigoreaux) GuaynaboEastbound exit only
6.33.9 PR-20 south (Expreso Rafael Martínez Nadal) Guaynabo, CaguasWestern terminus of Expreso John F. Kennedy; trumpet interchange
5.73.5 PR-23 east (Avenida Franklin Delano Roosevelt) / PR-165 north (Avenida El Caño) Guaynabo, San Patricio, Puerto Nuevo
5.0–
4.8
3.1–
3.0
4 PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) Santurce, Carolina, Caguas, Bayamón, Arecibo, CatañoSigned as exits 4A (east) and 4C (west); no access to PR-22 eastbound from PR-2 westbound; PR-22 exits 6, 6A and 6B
San JuanRío Puerto Nuevo2.0–
1.5
1.2–
0.93
Puente de la Constitución
Santurce1.30.81 PR-1 (Expreso Luis Muñoz Rivera) San Juan, Miramar, Hato Rey, Carolina, CaguasEastern terminus of Expreso John F. Kennedy; western terminus of Avenida Roberto H. Todd; partial cloverleaf interchange
0.80.50 PR-42 (Calle Las Palmas) Santurce
0.6–
0.5
0.37–
0.31
PR-35 south (Avenida Manuel Fernández Juncos) SanturceOne-way street
0.30.19 PR-25 north (Avenida Juan Ponce de León) San JuanOne-way street
0.00.0 PR-26 (Expreso Román Baldorioty de Castro) San Juan, CarolinaCounterclockwise terminus of PR-2; PR-26 exit 1; diamond interchange
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Puerto Rico Highway 2R (Spanish: Carretera Ramal 2, abbreviated Ramal PR-2 or PR-2R) refers to several urban roads in Puerto Rico, located in Aguadilla, Mayagüez, and Ponce, which serve as business routes for PR-2.[11]

Aguadilla spur


Highway 2 Spur
LocationAguadilla
Length0.85 km[12] (0.53 mi)

This short east-west segment, known as San Carlos Avenue,[13] is the main connection to both downtown Aguadilla and Aguadilla Mall from PR-2. It begins at an interchange with PR-2, immediately to the east is the mall. It then heads west through a curvy downhill slope, quickly arriving in the town square and intersecting with PR-111. It then immediately ends at PR-440 in front of the coastline. From the PR-2 interchange to the square it is divided, while the rest is a two way urban street. The entire route is located in Aguadilla. 

Locationkm[12]miDestinationsNotes
Aguadilla barrio-pueblo0.850.53 PR-440 (Avenida José de Jesús Esteves) AguadillaWestern terminus of Ramal PR-2; roundabout
0.750.47 PR-1107 south (Calle José de Diego) AguadillaOne-way street
0.700.43 PR-1107P north (Calle Ramón Emeterio Betances) AguadillaOne-way street
Caimital Bajo0.000.00 PR-2 (Expreso Rafael Hernández, "El Jibarito") Arecibo, MayagüezEastern terminus of Ramal PR-2; PR-2 exit 128
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Mayagüez loop

Highway 2R
LocationMayagüez
Length5.3 km[14] (3.3 mi)

Historically was the right of way of PR-2 inside Mayagüez downtown before the construction of Avenida Eugenio María de Hostos. The entirety of its segment in Mayagüez was formerly known as Calle Post, until recently when it was renamed into two names, under the José Guillermo Rodríguez administration. As the longest street in Mayagüez, served as main entrance to the center of the city and gave access to some communities as Colombia, Santurce, Belmonte, Cuesta de las Piedras, Río Cristal and Barriada Nadal (Poblado Sábalos). Originally named by governor Regis Henri Post in 1909, it was recently renamed both honoring Alfonso Valdés Cobián and Ramón Emeterio Betances by disposition of the Municipal Legislative.

The former street runs north-south for 5 miles and begins in a park at front of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez on the intersection of PR-2, connecting with Puerto Rico Highway 65 just before crossing the Yagüez River. In this section is called now Alfonso Valdés Cobián Boulevard. Going south the Yagüez River comes inside the downtown of Mayagüez city, crossing the Méndez Vigo (PR-106), Candelaria (PR-105), Nenadich, Hiram David Cabassa, PR-348, PR-380, and Carolina roads to finally ending at the PR-2 aside with Avenida Corazones in Sábalos ward. In this section is called now Ramón Emeterio Betances Street. The entire route is located in Mayagüez. 

Locationkm[14]miDestinationsNotes
Sábalos5.33.3 PR-2 (Expreso Eugenio María de Hostos) / PR-114 south (Avenida Santa Teresa Jornet) Hormigueros, Ponce, Añasco, AguadillaSouthern terminus of PR-2R
5.2–
5.1
3.2–
3.2
Avenida Corazones – Mayagüez
3.62.2 PR-380 Mayagüez
SábalosMayagüez barrio-pueblo line3.32.1 PR-348 Quebrada Grande
2.7–
2.6
1.7–
1.6
To PR-2 (Expreso Eugenio María de Hostos) / Avenida Hiram David Cabassa Mayagüez
Mayagüez barrio-pueblo1.91.2Calle Nenadich – Mayagüez
1.40.87 To PR-105 (Ruta Panorámica) / Calle de la Candelaria MaricaoOne-way street
1.30.81 To PR-2 (Expreso Eugenio María de Hostos) / Calle Méndez Vigo MayagüezOne-way street
0.90.56 PR-65 east (Avenida Pedro Albizu Campos) to PR-108 Mayagüez, Las MaríasNorthern terminus of PR-2R through Calle Ramón Emeterio Betances; eastern terminus of PR-2R through Bulevar Alfonso Valdés Cobián
0.00.0 PR-2 (Expreso Eugenio María de Hostos) Aguadilla, PonceNorthern terminus of PR-2R
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
  •       Route transition

Ponce spur

Highway 2R
LocationPonce
Length1.9 km[15] (1.2 mi)

Also known as Carretera a Pámpanos, the north-south road runs for 1.9 km (1.2 mi)[16] and was the original PR-2 before the construction of the current alignment known as the Ponce By Pass.[17] Some publications call the northern portion of this road Calle Coto Canas.[18]

Located entirely within Barrio Canas, PR-2R begins at PR-2 in the south, in the Pámpanos neighborhood and, as you head north, it passes the Paquito Montaner Stadium and the Juan Pachín Vicéns Auditorium, both to the left. PR-2R then passes Escuela Superior Vocacional (Vocational High School) to the right and Secretaría de Recreación y Deportes Francisco "Pancho" Coimbre to the left, where it intersects with PR-163 (Avenida Las Américas). The road then continues north for approximately another one-half mile before ending at PR-123 (Calle Villa Street). This northern terminus is located about 1.0 kilometer west of downtown Ponce. The entire length of PR-2R in Ponce is a two-lane road.

In the 1810s, today's PR-2R in Ponce was part of what was called "Camino de Tallaboa" (Road to Tallaboa),[19][20] a road that since, at least, the 1810s led from the center of Ponce to Barrio Tallaboa in Peñuelas.[21] The 1810s' Camino de Tallaboa consisted of three segments. The first segment was half a kilometer long and led from the center of Ponce in the east (Plaza Real) to a point west where today's Calle Villa intersects Calle Capitan Correa.[22] That segment was called "Calle de la Villa" (Street to the Villa), for it led to the "Villa de Ponce" (the center of town) from points west. This segment is today (2019) part of PR-132, the road to Peñuelas. The second segment of Camino de Tallaboa was called "Carretera al Barrio de los Pámpanos", or just "Carretera a Pámpanos". It had its northern terminus at today's Calle Villa and headed southwest to barrio Pámpanos, a small community bound on the south by today's PR-2, on the east and north by today's Avenida Eduardo Ruberté, and in the west by the eastern banks of Río Matilde. Thus Carretera a Pámpanos had its southern terminus at today's PR-2 in Barrio Canas.[23] This second/middle segment of Camino de Tallaboa is what is called today PR-2R.[lower-alpha 1][18]) The third and last segment of Camino de Tallaboa had its eastern terminus at Carretera Pámpanos and its western terminus in Peñuelas's Barrio Tallaboa. Between the late 1940s and 1965, this road was replaced by today's PR-2.[2][7] The entire route is located in Ponce. 

Locationkm[15]miDestinationsNotes
PlayaCanas Urbano line0.00.0 PR-2 (Ponce Bypass) / PR-5549 San Juan, MayagüezSouthern terminus of PR-2R
Canas Urbano0.4–
0.5
0.25–
0.31
PR-585 south (Avenida Eduardo Roberté Bisó) Ponce
1.10.68 PR-163 (Bulevar Luis A. Ferré Aguayo) Ponce
PrimeroCanas Urbano
Segundo tripoint
1.91.2 PR-123 (Calle Villa) Ponce, AdjuntasNorthern terminus of PR-2R
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

Notes

  1. Around the middle of the XIX century, this segment was straightened to run north-south instead of north-southwest, bring its northern terminus to the intersection of Calle Villa and Calle Miramar. The section of PR-2R from the intersection of Calle Villa and Miramar to Avenida Roosevelt is sometimes seen in maps as "Calle Coto Canas".[24]

References

  1. Google (29 March 2020). "PR-2" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. Carmelo Rosario Natal. Ponce En Su Historia Moderna: 1945-2002. Published by Secretaría de Cultura y Turismo of the Government of the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 2003. p. 336.
  3. "National Highway System: Aguadilla--Isabela--San Sebastián, PR Map" (PDF). U.S. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  4. Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works. "Datos de Transito 2000-2009" (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  5. "City-Data Forum - View Single Post - PR-22 (Autopista José de Diego) extension to Aguadilla?". www.city-data.com.
  6. National Bridge Inventory Data: Puerto Rico, Ponce. James Baughn. BridgeReports.com 2018. Accessed 5 November 2018.
  7. Vista aérea del tramo de la autopista de Ponce a Guayanilla. Biblioteca Digital Puertorriqueña. (Originally published by "El Mundo" on 24 October 1967.) Accessed 27 May 2018.
  8. Municipio de Ponce Repavimenta la PR 2. El Sur a la Vista. 16 September 2011. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  9. "Goldman Sachs, Abertis close on 40 year $1,136m concession of Puerto Rico's PR22 & PR5 tollroads". Archived from the original on 16 October 2011.
  10. Luis F. Pumarada O’Neill (1991). "Los Puentes Históricos de Puerto Rico" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  11. "Tránsito Promedio Diario (AADT)". Transit Data (Datos de Transito) (in Spanish). DTOP PR.
  12. Google (28 February 2020). "PR-2R in Aguadilla" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  13. "Cierre temporal en la carretera PR-2 Ramal en Aguadilla". Primera Hora. 26 January 2011.
  14. Google (28 February 2020). "PR-2R in Mayagüez" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  15. Google (28 February 2020). "PR-2R in Ponce" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  16. "geoview.info". Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  17. Socorro Giron. Ramon Marin y su Tiempo. In, Las Fiestas Populares de Ponce. Ramon Marin. Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. 1994. page 21. ISBN 0-8477-0189-1
  18. Desglose de Sectores y Centros de Votacion de Acuerdo a la Redistribucion Electoral 2000: Precinto Ponce 061. Gobierno de Puerto Rico. Comision Estatal de Elecciones, Division de Planificacion. July 2008.
  19. Neysa Rodriguez Deynes. Brevario Sobre la Historia de Ponce. Gobierno Municipal Autonomo de Ponce. Oficina de Cultura y Turismo. 2002. Page 45. ISBN 0-615-12181-0.
  20. Eli D. Oquendo Rodriguez. 1800-1885, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: Historia de la Parroquia de Ponce durante el Siglo XIX. Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones del Sur Oeste (CEISO). Lajas, Puerto Rico: Editorial Akelarre. 2016. ISBN 9781523888702. p. 179.
  21. Eduardo Neuman Gandia. Verdadera y Auténtica Historia de la Ciudad de Ponce. Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña. 1913. page 71.
  22. Eli D. Oquendo Rodriguez. Barrios de Ponce: Noticias y microhistorias de ocho comunidades ponceñas en el tiempo. Siglos XVI al XIX. 2019. pp. 48-49. ISBN 9781076759153
  23. Eduardo Neuman Gandia. Verdadera y Auténtica Historia de la Ciudad de Ponce. Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña. 1913. page 61.
  24. Eli D. Oquendo Rodriguez. Barrios de Ponce: Noticias y microhistorias de ocho comunidades ponceñas en el tiempo. Siglos XVI al XIX. 2019. pp. 68.

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