MOPT Creates New Department Will Focus On
Repairing And Maintaining Bridges Around The
Country
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y
Transportes (MOPT) is in a scurry to find
the estimated us$37.6 million dollars to
repair the most dangerous bridges around the
country. MOPT minister, Marco Vargas,
recently issued an order to all departments
to find the money.
Vargas said that, given the fatal events of
the last several months, it is imperative
that the bridges be given attention and that
most of the money required is already in
hand and will need some "redirection of
funds" to make all the money available.
The minister confirmed that missing is
us$4.2 million dollars and has no idea where
it will come from.
The bridges identified requiring urgent
attention are the suspension bridges in San
Jerónimo de Esparza, Pacuare and Pejibaye in
Turrialba. Also the bridge over the river
Toro in San Carlos needs urgent attention.
Other bridges identified are requiring
attention are those in Palomo de Orosi, the
río Sucio in Sarapiquí, Atirro in Turrialba,
thel Virilla and the Barranca on Route 1 (Interamericana)
and the bridge over the río Caño Grande in
San Carlos.
Many other bridges require maintenance,
reduced to a bad state of repair due to
abandonment by the transport ministry.
Although there are many deals with private
companies to provide maintenance on bridges
across the country, the state of the bridges
continues to be grave.
To ensure that the bridges get the required
attention, minister Vargas announced the
creation of a new department, the Sistema de
Administración de Puentes (SAP), which will
be in operation by the middle of the year.
Vargas explained that the SAP will focus on
bridges, report bridges that required
attention and provide recommendation and
work with the CONAVI to find the funds. |
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