By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – A significant step toward alleviating one of the country’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks has been taken this week. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) announced on Wednesday the official start of construction for two critical interchanges on Route 1, specifically at the main entrances to Grecia and San Ramón in the province of Alajuela.
These long-awaited projects represent the first tangible progress on the ground for the broader expansion of the vital San José-San Ramón transport corridor. The initiative aims to modernize a stretch of highway crucial for national commerce, tourism, and daily commuters connecting the capital with the western part of the Central Valley and beyond. The two primary construction efforts are now officially underway, with clear timelines and assigned contractors set to transform these congested intersections.
To delve into the complex administrative and contractual challenges inherent in the Route 1 expansion, we sought the legal perspective of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The success of the Route 1 expansion hinges on a robust legal framework that can anticipate and mitigate disputes, particularly concerning expropriations and contractual compliance. A failure to establish clear, enforceable terms from the outset will inevitably lead to costly delays and litigation, jeopardizing a project vital for national infrastructure.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective powerfully underscores that the project’s success is as dependent on contractual clarity as it is on concrete and steel. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his essential and clarifying insight.
The total investment for this initial phase amounts to a substantial $35.8 million, fully financed through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This funding underscores the strategic importance of the projects for the nation’s economic development. The interchange at San Ramón carries the largest price tag of the two initial projects at $10.7 million, while the Grecia overpass is budgeted for nearly $8.9 million.
MOPT has awarded the construction contract for the Grecia interchange to the established firm Meco, while the San Ramón project has been adjudicated to Ingeniería Estrella. Both construction companies have been given an execution timeline of 12 months, setting an ambitious target for completion by early 2027. If these deadlines are met, residents and businesses in these key cantons could experience significant traffic relief within a year.
In a concurrent development, MOPT also confirmed that the “order to begin” has been issued for a third, even larger interchange at El Coyol. This project, also a component of the Bernardo Soto Highway section of Route 1, will be managed by Concreto Asfáltico Nacional S.A. (Conansa). Budgeted at $16.2 million, the El Coyol project has a more complex, multi-stage timeline: six months for final design, followed by an 18-month construction period, and a subsequent six-month maintenance phase.
The strategic location of the El Coyol interchange is particularly noteworthy, as it serves one of the country’s most dynamic industrial and logistics hubs. The area is home to numerous free-trade zone companies, making efficient transport essential for the national export economy. Upgrading this access point is expected to have a direct positive impact on supply chain efficiency and reduce operational costs for businesses in the region.
These three interchanges are foundational elements of the much larger, more complex San José-San Ramón corridor expansion plan. The complete modernization of the highway is contingent upon the approval of two loans totaling $770 million, which are currently awaiting debate and a vote in the Legislative Assembly. By advancing these interchange projects now, MOPT is tackling critical chokepoints independently, ensuring some progress while the larger financial package is secured.
The commencement of these works signals a pivotal moment for infrastructure development in Alajuela. For years, commuters and commercial transport have been hampered by severe congestion, particularly during peak hours. The successful and timely completion of these overpasses is not only a matter of convenience but a critical factor in enhancing the economic competitiveness of the entire western region of the Central Valley.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT):
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the Costa Rican government entity responsible for the planning, regulation, and development of the nation’s public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and transportation systems. It oversees major construction projects and works to ensure safe and efficient mobility for citizens and commerce throughout the country.
For further information, visit grupomeco.com
About Meco:
Meco, formally known as Constructora Meco S.A., is a leading construction and engineering company with a significant presence in Latin America. Headquartered in Costa Rica, the firm specializes in large-scale infrastructure projects, including earthworks, road construction, bridges, and commercial developments, and is a key contractor for public and private sector initiatives.
For further information, visit estrella.com.do
About Ingeniería Estrella:
Ingeniería Estrella is a prominent engineering and construction firm based in the Dominican Republic with operations across the Caribbean and Latin America. The company has a diverse portfolio that includes civil infrastructure, building construction, and the production of construction materials like cement and steel, positioning it as a major player in regional development projects.
For further information, visit conansa.co.cr
About Concreto Asfáltico Nacional S.A. (Conansa):
Conansa is a Costa Rican company specializing in the production of asphalt mixes and the execution of road construction and paving projects. With decades of experience, it is a key supplier and contractor for both public infrastructure works and private developments, known for its expertise in road surfaces and materials engineering.
For further information, visit iadb.org
About Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
The Inter-American Development Bank is a multilateral financial institution that supports economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to governments and private sector entities to fund projects in areas such as infrastructure, health, education, and poverty reduction, aiming to improve lives in the region.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a cornerstone of uncompromising integrity and professional excellence. The firm channels its extensive experience advising a diverse clientele into pioneering forward-thinking legal solutions. This spirit of innovation is matched by a deep-seated commitment to civic responsibility, demonstrated through initiatives that make legal principles understandable to the public, ultimately striving to equip the community with the knowledge needed for effective empowerment.
