Para declarar monumento histórico el “Túnel Oscuro” o “Túnel Negro”, localizado en el barrio Terranova del Municipio de Quebradillas, con el fin de preservar el mismo; incluir el mismo en el Registro de Sitios y Zonas Históricas de Puerto Rico; realizar todos los trámites conducentes a zonificar la calificación del área e identificarlo en los mapas correspondientes como tal; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Designates the Dark Tunnel (Túnel Oscuro) in Quebradillas as a historic monument and begins zoning and mapping to reflect its protected status.

Remitido a Comisión de Calendarios de la Cámara

Summary of Bill PC 684

Overview

PC 684 proposes to designate the “Túnel Oscuro” (Dark Tunnel) or “Túnel Negro” located in the Terranova barrio of the Municipality of Quebradillas as a historic monument. The bill aims to preserve the tunnel by adding it to Puerto Rico’s Registry of Historic Sites and Historic Zones and to complete all necessary steps to zone and map the area to reflect its protected status. The bill is described as for “other related purposes.”

Purpose and intent

Preserve a local historic site by giving it formal monument status.

Ensure official recognition by including the tunnel in the Registry of Historic Sites and Zones of Puerto Rico.

Initiate the zoning and mapping processes needed to reflect the designation in official land-use documents and maps.

Establish a framework for related preservation and recognition activities tied to the site.

Key provisions (as stated in the bill’s description)

Declare the Túnel Oscuro / Túnel Negro a monumento histórico.

Include the tunnel in the Registro de Sitios y Zonas Históricas de Puerto Rico.

Realizar todos los trámites conducentes a zonificar la calificación del área e identificarlo en los mapas correspondientes como tal.

For other related purposes connected to preservation and recognition.

Affected parties and potential impact

Municipal government of Quebradillas (Terranova barrio) and local property owners near the tunnel, who would be subject to the designated status.

Puerto Rico agencies responsible for historic preservation, planning, and mapping (e.g., agencies managing the Registry and land-use planning), which would oversee the designation, zoning changes, and map updates.

Community and historians who value local heritage, as the designation can influence conservation priorities and potential access or educational use.

Procedural status and timeline

Introduced: May 19, 2025.

Legislative actions:

May 19, 2025 – Radicado (filed).
May 27, 2025 – Appears in Primera Lectura de la Cámara (First Reading in the House) and referred to Comisión(es) (committees).

Current status: Referido a Comisión(es); no final action reported yet.

Next steps and considerations

The committees will review the bill, potentially hold hearings, and consider amendments.

If advanced, the bill would proceed to floor votes and, depending on negotiations, could lead to enactment with specific preservation and zoning conditions.

Stakeholders may seek details on any funding, preservation obligations, or restrictions tied to the monument designation.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and provisions as publicly described; the actual text may include additional specifics or conditions.