Representative Christian Muriel (District 34) and Maunabo Mayor Ángel Omar Lafuente Amaro announced the official reopening of the Dr. Vicente Morales Lebrón Maunabo Tunnel after the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority completed scheduled repair work. The tunnel had been closed since October 30, 2025, due to a malfunction in its electrical system. Traffic has now been fully restored in both directions, improving access for drivers traveling to Maunabo and other southeastern municipalities.
Muriel emphasized the importance of the completed work for road safety and daily commuting, thanking the Highways Authority and pledging to continue monitoring infrastructure projects affecting his district. Mayor Lafuente highlighted the positive impact of the reopening for residents, merchants, and visitors of Maunabo and the wider southeastern region, describing it as restoring an essential mobility route.
The tunnel, built at a cost of $152 million, was inaugurated in October 2008 and measures 600 meters long. It was originally intended to be part of a larger infrastructure project.