CONAVI Opts For Tunnel To Repair Autopista Sinkhole

It's been more than a month since the sinkhole appeared on the autopista General Cañas and today the answer to the solution is basically still the same, it will take time and money to fix it.



The difference is that today we know how much time it will take and how much money, while drivers continue the nightmare that is common on Costa Rica's roads infrastructure.

The Consejao Nacional de Vialidad (CONAVI), a department of the Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT) has been analyzing two options: building a bridge over the creek or a tunnel under the current road.

It opted for the latter.

The explanation by CONAVI officials is that to construct a bridge it would take too long and be too costly, while the tunnel will take about five months and some US$3 million dollars.

The structure under the autopista will span 52 metres, 7.5 metres wide, 6.40 metres high and be comprised of 18 arches, capable of moving up to 130 cubic metres of water per second.

CONAVI officials say they will work on the westbound lanes (San José - Alajuela) first, the section of the autopista that is now using two Bailey bridges to move traffic.

The work will cause night closures of the General Cañas between La Uruca (the Juan Pablo II bridge in the area of the hospital Mexico) and the Plaza Cariari.

Drivers will need to use the alternate routes at night, either the Ruta 27 (San José - Caldera) or through Heredia.