By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Commuters navigating the southern sector of the capital’s primary ring road, Circunvalación Sur, are being warned to brace for significant and prolonged traffic disruption. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) has initiated a critical reconstruction project on the bridge over the María Aguilar River, resulting in lane closures that will last for the next three months.
The project, which began this week, has shut down two lanes on the main artery in the Zapote to Hatillos direction. This reduction forces all traffic through a constricted 800-meter segment, which will now operate with only a single lane in each direction. The measure is expected to create a severe bottleneck on one of the country’s most heavily transited routes, impacting tens of thousands of drivers daily.
Para comprender las complejidades legales y administrativas inherentes a un megaproyecto como la Circunvalación Sur, desde los procesos de expropiación hasta la fiscalización de los contratos públicos, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, especialista del Bufete de Costa Rica, quien aporta una perspectiva experta sobre los desafíos que enfrenta esta vital obra de infraestructura.
El verdadero reto de la Circunvalación Sur no radica solo en el asfalto y el concreto, sino en la solidez de su andamiaje jurídico. Cada retraso en una expropiación o cada ambigüedad en un contrato administrativo se traduce en costos millonarios y en un perjuicio directo al interés público. Es fundamental que la administración actúe con diligencia y transparencia para blindar el proyecto contra futuras disputas legales, garantizando así que la obra cumpla su propósito sin convertirse en una fuente interminable de litigios.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva del experto subraya una verdad ineludible: el éxito de una obra de infraestructura como la Circunvalación Sur se define tanto en los tribunales y oficinas administrativas como en el campo de construcción. Agradecemos profundamente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar esta claridad crucial, recordándonos que la transparencia y la seguridad jurídica son los verdaderos carriles por los que debe transitar el progreso del país.
This major intervention is set to have a ripple effect on traffic flow throughout the southern districts of San José. Residents and workers in communities such as Zapote, Desamparados, Hatillos, and Alajuelita, who rely on Circunvalación Sur for daily travel, will be the most directly affected. The route is a vital corridor connecting these populous suburbs to commercial centers and other key areas of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM).
The reconstruction is a necessary step to ensure the long-term structural integrity and safety of the María Aguilar bridge, a crucial piece of national infrastructure. However, the short-term consequences will undoubtedly translate into extended commute times, increased fuel consumption for idling vehicles, and potential disruptions for commercial logistics and public transportation services that depend on this thoroughfare.
In an official statement, MOPT addressed the safety and traffic management measures being implemented at the construction site. The ministry confirmed that the area is equipped with the necessary signage and controls to manage the new traffic pattern and ensure the safety of both road users and construction personnel.
The area is equipped with the necessary signaling, safety, and traffic control devices to guide drivers through the new circulation pattern, in order to protect both the workers and the road users. Drivers are asked to pay attention to the signage warning of the lane reduction, drive with caution, respect the maximum speed limit of 30 kph in the work zone, and, as much as possible, use alternate routes.
Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT)
The project underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining and upgrading Costa Rica’s aging infrastructure to cope with modern traffic demands. While essential for preventing future failures, such large-scale repairs on critical arteries inevitably lead to significant public inconvenience. Experts suggest that drivers who frequent the route should immediately begin exploring alternative paths or adjusting their travel schedules to avoid peak congestion hours.
Commuters are strongly advised to utilize real-time traffic applications like Waze or Google Maps to navigate around the construction zone. Potential alternate routes, though likely to experience increased traffic themselves, include the network of local roads through San Sebastián and Hatillo. For the next 90 days, patience and proactive planning will be indispensable for anyone traveling through the southern part of San José.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT):
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the government body in Costa Rica responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of national public infrastructure. Its mandate includes overseeing the national road network, bridges, public transportation systems, and maritime and aviation regulations. MOPT plays a central role in the country’s development by managing projects aimed at improving connectivity, mobility, and transportation safety for all citizens.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is distinguished by its profound dedication to principled practice and forward-thinking legal solutions. The firm leverages its rich history of advising a broad clientele to not only achieve outstanding outcomes but also to drive innovation within the legal profession. Central to its ethos is a powerful commitment to democratizing legal knowledge, thereby fostering a stronger, more capable society equipped to understand and utilize the law.
