The Costa Rica government officially opened the new Autopistas del Sol San José to Caldera Pacific highway on January 28th, 2010 … 3 months ahead of schedule; but only after 30+ years of planning, stops, starts, controversy and perseverance.

Posted speed limits on the new autopista range from 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour) to 100 kph (62 mph) … speeds never before available on the previous twisting, turning, mountainous two-lane route known as the Aguacate pass - notorious for its frequent accidents, weekend traffic back-ups and seasonal landslides.

The new travel time from the center of San José to Caldera on the Pacific coast is quoted to be as little as one hour – which would reduce overall travel times to many popular coastal destinations by as much as one-half when the old route’s regular traffic jams and accident delays are considered.

However, such swift predictions may be overly optimistic. Although the new highway expands out to eight lanes in several high traffic areas and does include passing lanes were steeper grades may reduce the ability of some trucks to maintain highway speeds … most of the route still consists of only two lanes and many curves. Each trip may result in significantly different travel times depending on getting caught behind slower moving traffic.

Costs

The 77 kilometer (48 mile) highway, built at an estimated $238 million dollars (USD), was financed by Spain based consortium Autopistas Del Sol. The company agreed to complete, operate and maintain the road for a 25 year toll agreement that allows the company to collect motorist user fees.

The entire route, from La Sabana/San José to Caldera, will cost travelers 1,930 colons (about $3.50 USD) based on current passenger car pricing. Toll stations are located in Escazú, Alajuela, Atenas, Orotina and at several highway exits.

History

The original San José-Pacific route was drawn-up in 1979 during the presidential administration of Rodrigo Carazo Odio. Work on the project had its stops and starts, grinding to a complete halt about 10 years ago after it was discovered that the Costa Rica government had not yet expropriated all the land needed to build the road. About three years ago current President Óscar Arias Sánchez re-started the project with the goal of finishing the highway before the end of his administration.

The project’s main strategy was to connect Costa Rica’s main industrial/business area to one of its main ports. The corridor will assist in reducing transportation expenses by way of a reduction in travel times, the number of road accidents, fuel consumption, deterioration of vehicle parts and tires, and other costs associated heavy traffic conditions. By providing easier access to the port of Caldera, the investment will help; improve Costa Rica’s trade competitiveness, attract new in-country industry, and reduce the price of both imports and exports.

Controversies in the last couple years included; the piercing of the Barva Aquifer (a major water supply of the central valley) during construction that required repairs and redesign, last minute negotiations of toll booth lanes for police/fire/ambulance emergency vehicles, and the protests of communities and businesses that have been cut-off to traffic by the highways route and limited number of access points.

The first section to open was from San José to Ciudad Colón. When the first toll collection point opened in Escazú, large traffic jams quickly occurred. Now frequent drivers on the road are able to purchase an automated transponder called “Quick Pass” that allows those vehicles to pass without having to stop; easing some of the congestion during peak traffic travel times.

Although more work still has yet to be completed, President Arias’ appears to have wanted to officially open the highway prior to his term expiration; and perhaps, as a form of political assistance toward the efforts of his former vice-president Laura Chinchilla in her bid to be elected Costa Rica’s new president on February 7, 2010.

Success

Costa Rica’s new Autopistas del Sol or ‘Highway of the Sun” was awarded the 2007 “Latin America Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Deal of the Year” by Euromoney’s Project Finance Magazine for being able to successfully finance the new roadway in a deal between the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE, Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economica) with approval and implementation by Caja Madrid in conjunction with the Costa Rica Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT, Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes).

In addition to the new highways obvious trade and business benefits, Pacific real estate developers and tourism operators west of the San José capital are counting on the new highway to be a boon to their industries as commuters will have easier access to their locations. Existing Pacific coast residents are also happy to have quicker travel times to the Central Valley for shopping, central government access, major medical services and entertainment activities.

It took a few years, but success is sometimes most appreciated when served on “Tico time”.

Autopistas del Sol; San José to Caldera Pacific highway map (click for full size map):

source:  The Costa Rica Frog | Costa Rica news, information, business, travel, resources, articles, pictures, videos, blogs and commentary