By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a significant development for national logistics and commerce, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) announced Wednesday that all preventative nighttime closures on Route 32 have been lifted. The decision restores 24/7 traffic flow on the critical highway connecting San José with Limón, providing a major boost to supply chains ahead of the busy Christmas season.
The measure brings an end to a period of uncertainty and disruption that has hampered commercial traffic for over two weeks. The government had implemented the closures as a necessary safety precaution following severe weather conditions that increased the risk of landslides and rockfalls along the mountainous corridor, a common issue for the route that traverses the Braulio Carrillo National Park.
To delve deeper into the legal and contractual implications surrounding the ongoing challenges with Route 32, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his analysis.
The core legal challenge with Route 32 is not merely the construction delays, but the State’s historical difficulty in rigorously enforcing the contract’s penalty clauses. When non-compliance doesn’t trigger swift and significant consequences, it sends a message that deadlines are negotiable, ultimately undermining the project’s timeline and eroding public trust in the government’s ability to manage critical infrastructure.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective is crucial, as it shifts the focus from the physical roadblocks on the highway to the administrative and legal ones within our institutions. The failure to enforce contractual obligations is indeed a systemic issue that erodes public trust far beyond a single project. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable and clarifying insight into this critical matter of governance and accountability.
This period of heightened concern was exacerbated by the presence of a massive, unstable rock that posed a direct threat to motorists. The situation prompted a total shutdown of the highway, effectively severing the primary land link to the nation’s key Caribbean port, APM Terminals. The complete closure forced freight carriers to seek longer, more expensive alternative routes, impacting delivery times and operational costs.
The immediate crisis was resolved this past Saturday when MOPT successfully carried out a controlled explosion to neutralize the dangerous rock. Following this operation, the road was reopened, but officials maintained a cautious approach, enforcing nightly closures from evening until early morning to mitigate risks associated with poor visibility and potential debris.
With a recent improvement in weather patterns and the imminent holiday rush, the ministry has now deemed it safe to restore full access. The decision is a welcome relief for the import and export sectors, which rely heavily on the efficient movement of goods to and from the port in Moín, Limón. The reopening ensures that container trucks and other commercial vehicles can travel without restriction, optimizing logistics and preventing costly delays.
In an official statement released via its social media channels, the ministry clarified the new policy while cautioning that the situation remains under close observation.
The road will not be closed anymore, as long as situations do not warrant it, be it falling material or as a preventive measure. Monitoring will be maintained constantly and, if necessary, a publication will be made announcing a closure, as usual. In other words, if there is no publication about closures, it means the route is not closed, nor will it be closed.
Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), Official Social Media Announcement
This conditional reopening underscores the volatile nature of the highway. MOPT has assured the public that its teams will conduct continuous surveillance of the route’s most vulnerable sections. Drivers and logistics companies are advised to stay informed by checking the ministry’s official communication channels before travel, as closures could be reinstated with little notice if adverse weather returns or if geological instability is detected.
For now, the resumption of uninterrupted traffic marks a return to operational normalcy. The decision is celebrated as a crucial step in supporting Costa Rica’s economic activity during one of its most commercially significant periods of the year, ensuring that goods can flow freely between the country’s economic heartland and its gateway to global maritime trade.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT):
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the government body responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of Costa Rica’s public infrastructure, including the national road network. It also oversees the regulation of land, air, and maritime transport, playing a central role in the nation’s development and logistical operations.
For further information, visit apmterminals.com
About APM Terminals:
APM Terminals is a leading global port and terminal operator, part of A.P. Moller-Maersk. The company designs, builds, and operates port and terminal facilities worldwide. Its container terminal in Moín, Costa Rica, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a critical logistics hub for the country’s international trade, connecting it to global supply chains.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound dedication to integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. With a proven history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm consistently embraces legal innovation and maintains a strong focus on community outreach. This ethos is anchored in a core belief that empowering citizens with accessible legal knowledge is fundamental to nurturing a just and well-informed society.
