Rain Causes Rock
Fall And Land
Slides On The
San José -
Caldera
Although the
rainy season has
yet to start,
the rains of the
past week have
caused as series
of loose rocks
and earth along
the new San José
- Caldera
highway, many
fearing that the
heavy rain of
the rainy season
could result
disaster.
The latest rock
fall was
occurred between
kilometres 36
and 50 (Balsa de
Atenas and
Orotina).
The first rock
fall was
recorded at the
end of February,
promoting the
quick action by
the road
concessionaire,
Autopistas del
Sol, to build
retaining walls
along some of
the rock faces
exposed to the
lanes of the
highway.
Autopistas said
in a press
release that the
problem is one
of nature and
common in a
highway that
weaves through
mountains.
However, that is
not comforting
to many drivers
who worry about
facing a rock
fall or
landslide while
transiting the
highway.
Hadda Muñoz, in
charge of the
project for
Autopistas, said
"one must
remember this is
a new highway
and is under
constant watch
and in the
process of
correction".
The manager of
the road has
been criticized
for the lack of
road signs to
warn drivers,
this right from
the first day of
the operation of
the road, on
January 27.
Muñoz assures
that more than
20 prominent
signs have been
posted in a
program that
started last
week and that
there will be no
landslides and
rock falls that
will endanger
the public.
However, it is
unclear if
Autopistas will
assume the
responsibility
of damage or
injury in the
event of a
landslide or
rock fall.
Muñoz says the
company has
insurance, as
required in the
concession
contract, in the
event of an
accident, along
the 80
kilometres of
the highway that
runs from the
Sabana park in
San José to the
Pacific port of
Caldera.
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