Costa Rica’s New Highway To The Pacific – 77 kilometer road to start 30 years late. January 2008

During the second week of January 2008, after 30 years, the National Council of Authorizations (CNC) ordered the beginning of the construction of the new road to the Caldera seaport in the Central Pacific area.

Luis Diego Vargas, Authorizations vice Minister, confirmed that from today, the Autopistas Del Sol Construction Company has 30 months to complete it.

In addition, Vargas said that the machinery that will be used to clear the land between Ciudad Colon and Orotina was delivered to the area and the work camps of construction will be pu up.

Carla Gonzalez, Minister of Transport and President of CNC pointed out that the plans and the work timetable have been approved. The Environment Ministry already authorized the construction company to prepare the land and extract the stones for the construction.

Moreover, Autopistas Del Sol made a financial agreement with Economic Integration Central America Bank (BCIE) and the Caja de Madrid for $230 millions to build the road.

New Highway Yes But An Old Project:

The 77Km road was designed 30 years ago. It will connect the capital with Caldera through Santa Ana, Ciudad Colón, Atenas and Orotina.

By the time the road is finished, in July 2010, this Spanish, Portuguese and Costa Rican consortium will be charging a toll of approximately US$2.7 (1,350 Colons actual exchange) from the National Gymnasium in San Jose to Caldera Port in Espiritu Santo, Esparza.

The road will supposedly reduce the time by 45 minutes for the trip between San Jose and Caldera. Nowadays drivers have to deal with heavy traffic concentrated on the old road across Monte Aguacate.

Timetable for Construction:

A press release from Autopistas Del Sol assured yesterday that the machinery is already placed in Turrúcares and Escobal, Atenas, where the first work will be done on the 39 Km stretch between Ciudad Colón and Orotina.

Before the works starts, they have to cut the trees and remove the vegetated layer over the by-pass. Then, drainage and soil has to be moved. Moreover, they will start the enlargement of some stretches of the Prospero Fernández freeway that leaves San Jose towards Escazú and Santa Ana in the month of May.

According to Karla Fernández, alternate roads should be approved to the drivers before that date.

Our thanks to our friends at La Nación – Costa Rica’s largest Spanish circulation newspaper for their permission use this article.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.