Residents in some regions of Guanacaste are enjoying better roadways thanks to a special mix of asphalt tested by Costa Rica’s National Laboratory of Structural Models and Materials (Spanish acronym: Lanamme). This special asphalt formula presents various advantages over mixes that have been previously in Costa Rica; in particular, it presents greater permeability at a more reasonable cost.

According to a recent news report by the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the Guanacaste province has been chosen as the proving grounds for different asphalt mixes. The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) has a support branch in Guanacaste that reaches out to municipalities; this branch contracted the Petroleum Refinery of Costa Rica (Recope) to provide the different formulas for asphalt.

A civil engineer from Lanamme explained to UCR that the formula used in the project addresses the issue of potholes and sinkholes forming in the middle of the green season in Costa Rica. Guanacaste has traditionally been considered one of Costa Rica’s driest regions, but that is no longer the case due to climate change. Heavy rains are causing damage to the roadways in Guanacaste and across Costa Rica, and thus Lanamme, MOPT and Recope have been looking at possible solutions to this problem.

The pilot project in Guanacaste takes into account an asphalt that not only provides stronger resistance to water but also leaves behind a low carbon footprint. To this end, this new asphalt mix does not require heating and does not emit polluting gases. Instead, the asphalt formula uses certain chemicals and a mechanical mixture process. This is important for Costa Rica’s carbon-neutral initiative.

MOPT will continue testing and paving roads in Guanacaste with this mix before moving on to other parts of Costa Rica. This makes sense insofar as Guanacaste being the focus of active real estate and business development, as well as being a region that is seeing increased foreign investment.