If you are planning a trip Thursday night from the Central Valley to Limón or nearby points on the Caribbean coast, beware that the tunnel on the main highway will be closed for repairs.

The closure will be in effect for five hours, from 10:00 p.m. Thursday, March 16 until 3:00 a.m. Friday, March 17, said the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT).

 

A detailed evaluation of the tunnel’s structure will be carried out by experts from the National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models of the University of Costa Rica (Lanamme) to ensure safety.

The closure will be in effect in both directions along Route 32, between the toll station in the sector of Heredia and the bridge over the Rio Frio.

Technical experts will be checking the structure’s electrical system with thermal cameras, and will visually evaluate of all the walls of the tunnel and conduct tests with sclerometers at various points, said MOPT officials.

Commissioner Mario Calderón, Transit Police director, said there will be transit officers at both points of the closure to prevent the passage of vehicles through the tunnel.

The alternative routes to Limón for cars and light vehicles is via Route 10 (Turrialba-Siquirres) or via Route 126 (Vara Blanca to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí), said the MOPT.