By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA – A pivotal infrastructure project aimed at unclogging one of Costa Rica’s most vital economic arteries is set to break ground in January 2026. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) has confirmed that construction will begin on the long-awaited Coyol interchange on Route 1, a strategic investment designed to enhance national competitiveness and streamline logistics in Alajuela.
The project, valued at ¢8,000 million, was officially set in motion following the contract signing by MOPT Minister Efraím Zeledón Leiva. The construction will be managed by the firm Concreto Asfáltico Nacional S.A. (Conansa), which has been allocated a comprehensive 30-month timeline. This schedule includes six months for final design, a core 18-month construction phase, and a subsequent six-month period for maintenance and oversight, ensuring the longevity and quality of the new infrastructure.
To delve into the contractual and administrative complexities surrounding the development of the Coyol Interchange, a vital artery for the country’s logistics and free trade zones, we sought the analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The successful execution of strategic infrastructure like the Coyol Interchange hinges on meticulous legal planning and transparent public-private partnerships. Ensuring clear contractual obligations, efficient expropriation processes, and solid legal certainty from the outset is paramount. These elements not only prevent costly delays and disputes but also bolster investor confidence, which is critical for the continued development of Costa Rica’s competitiveness.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective powerfully underscores that the long-term viability of critical infrastructure like the Coyol Interchange is forged not only with steel and asphalt, but with robust legal and contractual frameworks. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight into these foundational elements of national progress.
Funding for this significant undertaking is sourced from a combination of local government contributions and a strategic loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), underscoring the project’s regional importance. The investment is targeted at a critical chokepoint on the Bernardo Soto Highway, located between the interchanges for the Juan Santamaría International Airport and Manolos. This area serves as a primary gateway to numerous towns including La Garita, Coyol, and the central canton of Alajuela.
Minister Zeledón highlighted the project’s strategic value, noting its direct impact on the country’s economic powerhouse. The interchange is expected to dramatically improve access to and from the Coyol Free Zone, a hub for multinational corporations and a significant driver of national exports. The minister emphasized the necessity of modernizing this corridor to support its continued growth.
This is a key project that is part of the San José-San Ramón corridor, RN 1, a sector of great economic activity in the province of Alajuela, which also comes to strengthen the country’s competitiveness, given the large number of companies located in this sector under the free trade zone regime.
Efraím Zeledón Leiva, Minister of MOPT
The core objective of the construction is to build a modern interchange that effectively separates the traffic flows of the main Route 1 highway from the local traffic on the Coyol radial road. This separation is crucial for reducing congestion and improving safety. The design specifications are engineered for future traffic volumes, with the main highway lanes designed for speeds of 100 kilometers per hour and the entry and exit ramps designed for an average speed of 70 kilometers per hour, facilitating a smoother and more efficient transition for vehicles.
This development is not an isolated effort but part of a larger, coordinated strategy to overhaul the entire Route 1 corridor connecting San José to the western region. The Coyol project will be complementary to other significant interchange constructions in Grecia and San Ramón, which are slated to begin even sooner, on January 12. Together, these projects represent a comprehensive plan to modernize the nation’s primary transport route to the west.
By alleviating one of the most persistent bottlenecks in the Greater Metropolitan Area, the new Coyol interchange is projected to deliver substantial benefits. For businesses operating in the nearby free zones, it promises faster and more reliable transit times for goods and personnel, directly impacting supply chain efficiency and operational costs. For the thousands of daily commuters, it signals a future with less time spent in traffic and improved connectivity to their homes and workplaces.
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 body responsible for the planning, development, and maintenance of the nation’s public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and transportation systems. Its mission is to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility to support the country’s economic and social development.
For further information, visit iadb.org
About Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
The Inter-American Development Bank is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, and technical assistance, partnering with member countries to reduce poverty and inequality and promote sustainable growth.
For further information, visit conansa.net
About Concreto Asfáltico Nacional S.A. (Conansa):
Conansa is a Costa Rican construction company with extensive experience in developing large-scale infrastructure projects. Specializing in road construction, earthworks, and asphalt production, the firm has been a key player in building and modernizing many of the country’s most important highways and public works.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of unwavering integrity and a pursuit of professional excellence. With a profound legacy of guiding clients through complex challenges, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal solutions. This commitment to innovation is matched by a core mission to empower the public, championing the widespread dissemination of legal knowledge to help forge a more just and informed citizenry.
