A road project that was first designed more than 30 years ago, is about to be inaugurated as a reality in Costa Rica. The 77km highway from San Jose to Caldera is expected to cut 45 minutes off travel to the Central Pacific Coast, which is currently accessible via Aguacate along a one lane winding mountain road that sees frequent traffic from accidents and over-weight tractor trailers. By paying a series of tolls totaling 1,120 colones, (~$2) commuters can reach Jaco from San Jose in an hour or continue on to Manuel Antonio for a total travel time of under 2 hours (the trip is currently over 3 hours long). The route can also be used for cars heading north, shortening travel time to Liberia and beaches like Tamarindo and Flamingo by an hour.

The Spanish/Portuguese/Costa Rican consortium Autopistas del Sol (Sun Highways), is expected to officially open the entire route this March 2010, four months before deadline. The company was awarded a 25 year concession in 2006 to handle the construction and maintenance of the roadway in exchange for toll rights. Construction did not actually begin until January 2008 due to delays in approving an Addendum to the contract that was required for banks to approve the $230 million loan.

The majority of the route is a wide two lane road, with an additional lane in high traffic intersections like La Garita and Atenas. There are also occasional passing lanes and lights lining the entire way. The four toll booths will offer an electronic payment option similar to the EZPass or Quick Pass in the United States allowing commuters to prepay and avoid coming to a complete stop at the tolls.

Currently, the section from Orotina to Caldera is open and charges a 480 colones toll (under $1) for a less than 10 minute stretch of road. With recently laid asphalt, new road markings and signage and ample shoulder room, the outlook is a positive one in terms of quality and convenience.

You Can’t Please Everyone

The road construction has become a topic of contention in the country. While almost everyone can acknowledge the convenience and need for the route, environmental and economic issues have been dredged up along the way. Many residents express resentment toward the government, which opted for private funding for the road despite collecting annual taxes on vehicles and gas to support road projects. These opponents argue that citizens will have to pay for the road twice, now through the tolls, which are seen as excessive by some.

There are also mixed emotions among people and business owners along the path of the new road. While more remote communities see the road as a source of opportunity, bringing commerce to their small towns, others complain of a lack of exits blocking off access to their stores and restaurants.

For your average commuter, the road comes as a blessing not only due to the faster transit time, but also increased safety. The current mountain route is not lit in most areas and the treacherous curves, no passing lanes and large trucks that are slowed by the steep inclines cause for unfavorable conditions.

A Long and Windy Road

The original design for the Caldera Highway project was suggested in 1978 by the Minister of Transportation Rodolfo Mendez. They government was planning to fund the project, which would have cost have the price at the time, but a recession in the early 80s forced them to put it on hold. The idea resurfaced in 1998 when discussions turned to the idea of private funding for the project. By 2003, a contract was approved destining a concession to a consortium made up of Costa Rican, Argentinean and Canadian partners. However, just over a year later the Cartellone-Acosol consortium drew out of the contract due to delays by the Costa Rican government in expropriating necessary lands.

When Autopistas del Sol came into the picture in 2006, construction met further delays because of pending land expropriation as well as a delay by the Comptroller General to approve a budget increase of $72 million due to the increased price of construction materials since 2001 when the original budget was set. In a confusing game of finger pointing, the Ministry of Transportation threatened to fine Autopistas del Sol for not starting construction while awaiting the Comptroller’s decision.

After a long tradition of bureaucratic stalling, it is nothing short of a miracle that the construction company is forcasting an early finish to the 30 month project that really started more than 30 years ago.

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on December 29th, 2009