QCOSTARICA — It’s been more than 60 years since a ring road (Carretera de Circunvalación or Ruta 39) was proposed and some 45 years since construction began in 1979, the dream of having a ring road that would avoid entering the center of the capital, specifically the central district, will soon be a reality.
Before this government ends, in May 2026, drivers will be able to travel around the entire Circunvalación ring road without stopping even once.
That is the promise of the current Ministro de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) – Minister of Public Works and Transport – Mauricio Batalla, in announcing that in October work will begin to eliminate the existing traffic light at the Hatillo 8 intersection; and, in January 2025, begin work on the Hatillo 6 intersection.
– Advertisement –
This dream has come close to reality with the inauguration last week of the overpass between Hatillo 3 and 4.
The Hatillo 6 and 8 work will be similar. Once complete, it prevent drivers from losing up to 15 minutes due to the congestion and traffic lights.
“This last overpass has a value of ¢6.8 billion colones (…) How can we not feel proud of these works, which are being built even ahead of time thanks to the coordination between several public institutions. When we finish with the projects we have mentioned, more than 70,000 drivers a day will be able to travel the entire ring road without stopping once,” said Mauricio Batalla, head of the MOPT.
Batalla is hopeful that this administration will be able to complete the work that had been the dream of the previous administration of Carlos Alvarado (2018-2022), and in particular, Rodolfo Méndez Mata, who served as MOPT minister in the Alvarado administration and in the Rodrigo Carazo administration (1978-1982), that is, he was the one who started the dream.
Once the MOPT completes the works on the northern section of the Circunvalacion sometime next month, when drivers will be able to bypass Los Hatillos and Montes de Oca, or access Goicoechea and exit at La Uruca and Ruta 1 without entering the city, all that will be left for the dream (of a ring road without traffic lights) to come true is the Hatillo 6 and 8 works.
– Advertisement –
According to Batalla, the work on the viaduct-type overpass, a tunnel-type depressed section for marginal roads, and a two-level intersection that will connect Ruta 39 with the Bicentennial roundabout in Guadalupe, is almost complete.
“We are working hard, even at night in some areas, to meet our commitment,” said Batalla.
Why has it taken so long? Costa Rica’s bureaucracy, lack of resources, and inefficiency at certain times.
With the growth of the vehicle fleet, which went from 600,000 in 2000 to 1.6 million in December of last year, traffic congestion in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) has worsened.
– Advertisement –
Despite this, Costa Ricans continue to prefer the automobile as a means of transportation.
The latest Expomóvil, held in April 2024, which saw some 80,000 visitors, demonstrates the persistent demand for vehicles in the country.
– Advertisement –
Source link
Rico
