Costa Rican Government Initiates Southern Phase of San Carlos Road Construction
Construction begins on 8.2 km stretch, with initial work focused on central sections amid ongoing land expropriations.
The government of Costa Rica has commenced the construction of the southern phase of the road to San Carlos, which will connect Sifón de San Ramón with the Bernardo Soto highway near San Miguel de Naranjo.
The phase, covering 8.2 kilometers, has been awarded to MECO for a total of $199 million, but initial works will begin on only one of the two designated segments due to outstanding land expropriations.
MECO's machinery has engaged in preliminary earthworks at the northern end of the project; however, the main construction efforts in the coming weeks will focus on the central section of the route.
This strategic decision was made because complete land availability was not secured for both sections, as explained by Mario Campos, the head of the executing unit.
The project was subdivided into two lots to account for land availability.
An analysis in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) highlighted the importance of securing the necessary land for construction.
Campos noted that Lot 1 had nearly 100% of the required properties available at the time of bidding, enabling approval from the bank for contract signing.
Work is ongoing to finalize the necessary expropriations for Lot 2, with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) aiming for construction to commence on this section by the end of the year.
The government's commitment is to complete the entire stretch between Sifón and the Bernardo Soto highway within 20 months.
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Efraím Zeledón, defended the phased commencement, asserting that the initial phase involves the most complex works, including bridges and one viaduct.
He stated that new infrastructure projects involving mountain clearing had not been undertaken in Costa Rica for the past two decades.
To connect all project sectors, it is crucial to initiate work on three specific bridges: Quebrada Cañuela, San Roquillo, and Yurro Hondo.
Concerning financing, the IDB announcement indicates that $122 million has been certified for Lot 1, with the assurance from the Ministry of Finance that all necessary funds to complete both the southern and central sections are available.
The total project financing includes a $335 million loan from the IDB, leaving approximately $136 million allocated for the central segment, which has historically been more challenging.
However, concerns were raised by the Asociación Procarretera regarding the timing of the earthworks, as they emphasized the need for tangible progress on the central section to ensure the southern phase's viability.
They pointed out that the contract allows 6 to 8 months for the development of designs, raising questions about whether effective advancement can be achieved without substantive work on the connecting central segment.
In response, the minister emphasized that the contract specifies maximum deadlines for design work, and contractors can begin early if they deem it viable.
He reaffirmed that the original design was previously established and that initial earthmoving activities could proceed without delay.
The contract for the southern phase includes design, construction, and maintenance services, implying that the contractor will oversee the project's upkeep according to predefined standards once completed.
The planned roadway will consist of two lanes in each direction and will incorporate 13 major structures, including bridges and overpasses, along with wildlife crossings.
This southern phase represents the final part of the San Carlos road project, which was divided into three segments at its inception.
Currently, only the northern section, linking La Abundancia de San Carlos with Florencia, has been completed and operational since the previous administration.
The central section, connecting La Abundancia with Sifón, has remained inactive since 2018 after the contract with the original contractor was terminated due to cost overruns and delays.
Last year, MOPT issued a new tender for the central section's completion.
Following the bid submission deadline on April 25, it was revealed that only CHEC, the company currently expanding Route 32, had submitted a proposal for this segment.
This process is currently under IDB review.
The phase, covering 8.2 kilometers, has been awarded to MECO for a total of $199 million, but initial works will begin on only one of the two designated segments due to outstanding land expropriations.
MECO's machinery has engaged in preliminary earthworks at the northern end of the project; however, the main construction efforts in the coming weeks will focus on the central section of the route.
This strategic decision was made because complete land availability was not secured for both sections, as explained by Mario Campos, the head of the executing unit.
The project was subdivided into two lots to account for land availability.
An analysis in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) highlighted the importance of securing the necessary land for construction.
Campos noted that Lot 1 had nearly 100% of the required properties available at the time of bidding, enabling approval from the bank for contract signing.
Work is ongoing to finalize the necessary expropriations for Lot 2, with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) aiming for construction to commence on this section by the end of the year.
The government's commitment is to complete the entire stretch between Sifón and the Bernardo Soto highway within 20 months.
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Efraím Zeledón, defended the phased commencement, asserting that the initial phase involves the most complex works, including bridges and one viaduct.
He stated that new infrastructure projects involving mountain clearing had not been undertaken in Costa Rica for the past two decades.
To connect all project sectors, it is crucial to initiate work on three specific bridges: Quebrada Cañuela, San Roquillo, and Yurro Hondo.
Concerning financing, the IDB announcement indicates that $122 million has been certified for Lot 1, with the assurance from the Ministry of Finance that all necessary funds to complete both the southern and central sections are available.
The total project financing includes a $335 million loan from the IDB, leaving approximately $136 million allocated for the central segment, which has historically been more challenging.
However, concerns were raised by the Asociación Procarretera regarding the timing of the earthworks, as they emphasized the need for tangible progress on the central section to ensure the southern phase's viability.
They pointed out that the contract allows 6 to 8 months for the development of designs, raising questions about whether effective advancement can be achieved without substantive work on the connecting central segment.
In response, the minister emphasized that the contract specifies maximum deadlines for design work, and contractors can begin early if they deem it viable.
He reaffirmed that the original design was previously established and that initial earthmoving activities could proceed without delay.
The contract for the southern phase includes design, construction, and maintenance services, implying that the contractor will oversee the project's upkeep according to predefined standards once completed.
The planned roadway will consist of two lanes in each direction and will incorporate 13 major structures, including bridges and overpasses, along with wildlife crossings.
This southern phase represents the final part of the San Carlos road project, which was divided into three segments at its inception.
Currently, only the northern section, linking La Abundancia de San Carlos with Florencia, has been completed and operational since the previous administration.
The central section, connecting La Abundancia with Sifón, has remained inactive since 2018 after the contract with the original contractor was terminated due to cost overruns and delays.
Last year, MOPT issued a new tender for the central section's completion.
Following the bid submission deadline on April 25, it was revealed that only CHEC, the company currently expanding Route 32, had submitted a proposal for this segment.
This process is currently under IDB review.
