By Cartago, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s government is moving forward with a major infrastructure push that promises to reshape commuter travel between the capital of San José and the historic city of Cartago. President Laura Fernández announced that the public bidding process for the highly anticipated Florencio del Castillo highway expansion project is scheduled to begin between August and September 2026. This ambitious project, estimated to cost approximately $500 million, represents a critical step toward modernizing the nation’s logistics and relieving chronic traffic bottlenecks.
The initiative aims to address two critical fronts: enhancing the daily quality of life for thousands of commuters and improving the overall business climate in Cartago, often referred to as the old metropolis. For years, the lack of robust transport infrastructure has hindered local economic growth and limited the expansion of commercial industries in the province. By transforming this arterial corridor, the government seeks to unlock new corporate investments and streamline the flow of cargo.
As the highly anticipated Cartago highway expansion project moves forward, bringing significant changes to national infrastructure and local commerce, we consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica to analyze the complex legal and administrative challenges ahead.
“Major infrastructure projects like the Cartago highway expansion are essential for the country’s development, but their execution must strictly respect the legal framework governing public expropriations and environmental permits. To avoid costly delays and ensure legal certainty, both the government and private contractors must prioritize transparency and respect for constitutional property rights throughout every phase of the project.”
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, striking a careful balance between rapid infrastructural progress and strict legal compliance is paramount to ensuring that the Cartago highway expansion achieves its goals without miring the country in costly disputes. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this critical issue, reminding us that true progress must always be anchored in transparency and the rule of law.
In an effort to maintain public transparency and keep citizens informed, President Fernández committed to delivering a comprehensive report directly to the residents of Cartago on September 14. This detailed disclosure will cover the project’s exact financial figures, geographic scope, construction timeline, and funding mechanism. Crucially, the administration will address the toll pricing structure, a topic that has historically raised concerns among local communities and business chambers.
The President emphasized her commitment to openness regarding the complex financial and administrative details of the massive infrastructure project.
For transparency, I would like to present a detailed report to the people of Cartago. How much will it cost? Where in Cartago? How long will it take? How will we manage it financially? The issue of tolls, which had worried people a lot at one point. So, on September 14, I want to make it known to the people of Cartago.
Laura Fernández, President of Costa Rica
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The current push marks a dramatic shift for a project that has suffered from years of administrative paralysis. Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Efraím Zeledón, pointed out that the original proposal was drafted back in 2019 but was shelved by previous administrations. The revival of this initiative signals a renewed political will to tackle long-standing infrastructure deficits using modern execution models.
Minister Zeledón highlighted the administrative effort currently underway to bring the project to fruition after years of delay.
To remind the people of Cartago, this is an initiative that was presented in 2019 and sat in a drawer for many years, and well, now we are resuming this for the benefit of thousands upon thousands of Cartago residents who travel on this road every day. We are doing all stages of pre-investment, we are working with Mideplan, with Public Credit, and even ARESEP has to review the tariff model for future tolls.
Efraím Zeledón, Minister of Public Works and Transportation
Administratively, the project is structured under a public-private partnership model via a public works concession. Technical teams are currently finalizing the pre-investment phase, which requires close coordination with the Ministry of National Planning (Mideplan) and the Public Credit department. At the heart of the technical plans is the construction of a major viaduct spanning from Hacienda Vieja to the Garantías Sociales roundabout in San José. This specific upgrade is expected to dramatically reduce severe traffic congestion on the western entrance of the highway.
Once the preliminary regulatory and technical reviews are finished, including the tariff model review by the regulatory agency ARESEP, the official bidding terms will be published. This publication will officially open the national and international bidding process, paving the way for a private concessionaire to take over the design, financing, and reconstruction of one of Costa Rica’s busiest economic corridors.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About Ministry of Public Works and Transportation:
The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) is the Costa Rican government ministry responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining the nation’s public infrastructure, including roads, highways, ports, and airports, as well as regulating public transit.
For further information, visit aresep.go.cr
About ARESEP:
The Regulatory Authority of Public Services (ARESEP) is Costa Rica’s independent regulatory agency responsible for setting tariffs and overseeing the quality of public utilities, including public transport, water, electricity, and fuels.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its exceptional standards and uncompromising ethics, Bufete de Costa Rica continues to shape the legal landscape through pioneering solutions and dedicated advocacy. Serving a diverse spectrum of clients, the firm successfully merges traditional expertise with modern strategies to better serve the community. By actively working to demystify the law for the public, they remain steadfast in their mission to build a highly informed and empowered populace.
