Sí Se Puede! Autopista Re-Opens Early

In English "Where there's a will there's a way" and in Spanish "Sí se puede" can describe the quick and efficient installation of the Bailey bridges of the Alajuela - San José lanes of the autopista General Cañas this weekend. The work was finished one day ahead of schedule.



This morning at 5am both directions of the autopista are open to traffic, though there are still some details, like painting of the lines still to be completed.

On Friday, the CONAVI announced a total closure of the autopista until Tuesday. The closure was to erect the two Baileys, adjacent to the existing Baileys, at the sinkhole point in the area of Los Arcos de Cariari.

Many drivers resigned themselves that the nightmare would continue for most of this week and given the Ministerio de Obras Pulicas y Transportes (MOPT) track record and the threat of heavy rains for the weekend.



However, the rains held off for the most part and CONAVI and MOPT officials must have been moved by the traffic chaos of Saturday and to some extend Sunday, not only on either side of the autopista but also on the alternates, to get the work moving as fast as possible.

The installation of the two additional Baileys was due to damage resulting from last Wednesday's heavy rains, causing the easterly lanes to warp and force an intervention before the road sunk and placing thousands of drivers at risk daily.

Both directions of the autopista are now reduced to two lanes from three while repair work beneath continues, work that is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

While the bridges are in place, traffic through the area will continue to be congested especially during peak mornings and afternoons on weekdays.



Transport officials recommend using alternate routes if possible and a change of schedule, leaving earlier or later, to avoid the peak periods of congestion.