The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation and Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) which operates the escrow Route 1, announced that the first works for the route between La Sabana (San Jose) and San Ramon (Alajuela) will begin in the second semester of 2019.

The announcement was made in a press conference at the Presidential House with the participation of President Carlos Alvarado, the Minister of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), Rodolfo Mendez and the General Manager of Banco de Costa Rica, Douglas Soto.

Alvarado mentioned that the government is giving important steps in reactivating the big infrastructure works in the country.

The works in the second semester of 2019 will begin with the expansion of three main bridges with funds of the National Roads Authority (CONAVI) for a total of $65 million, “This modality of contribution of own funds by CONAVI will allow to reduce the toll booth rates”, explained Mendez.

It is expected that these initial works will eliminate multiple bottlenecks that affect this route before the expansion of the route formally begins.

“It is estimated that the works will take close to 24 months, after which traffic should be more agile in this congested route, particularly between San Jose and Alajuela. I will also help mitigate the congestion that will cause the construction of Route 1“, states the press release.

The technical, environmental, social and financial feasibility studies will begin this year, once these are completed the government will have to select the best option to develop the project.