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The
Anonos (a no no) Bridge
It was
built in the 1930’s and served well for so many decades.
But, in the last years it began to show it’s age, with
the increased traffic as it is one of the two main
arteries between San José and Escazú.
Last
year, finally, the decision was to made to restore the
bridge and breathe into it new life. So, last August, the
MOPT, the government agency responsible for our roads,
closed the bridge to all traffic and the contractor began
work.
For most of us, who live and work in the area, the
temporary closing was worth the extra time and that it
would take to make the movement to and from Escazú. For
those who traveled across the bridge would no doubt feel
the movement under your feet as a bus or small truck made
as it crossed.
The work was originally to take only a few months and the
MOPT promised that by December the newly renovated bridge
would be finished.
As it happens in Costa Rica more than not, studies made
are not complete, not sure for lack of experience, plain
stupidity or what. But as work progressed, the engineers
discovered that additional work was required to make the
bridge safe.
So, the
work was now pushed back to February. The 176.000.000
colones would be spent wisely, the work would be top
notch. The MOPT started to widen the roadway from Escazú
to the bridge, and repaved the section coming west from la
Sabana.
Everything was going well, as time went on we could see
work progressing. A few weeks ago, the contractor began
pouring the concrete to lay the bed for the final asphalt.
We all looked with excitement that, finally, the end was
near. No longer would we would have to make the trek
through and under the bridge, a roadway that two cars and
mule would not fit through.
Then, last week, without notice or reason, the MOPT fired
the contractor and told us that they would now need
another 86.000.000 colones to complete the work. All work
was suspended. Nothing has happened since.
In
typical Costa Rican tradition, all work was suspended,
nothing happening, except that we now have to wait for the
Controloria de la Republica, the government body that
regulates government spending, to approve the extra
financing.
How will this take? Many months? Or will the decision come
quickly. Are there more studies needed? An investigation
to find out what happened? When will the bridge be
finished?
Well,
we call all guess what happened. No crystal ball needed.
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