Guanacaste Residents Demand Road Repairs

Frustrated by unfulfilled promises to fix their crumbling roads, residents of communities in the northwest province of Guanacaste last week blocked their pothole filled streets in protest.

From 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.March 24, residents blocked roads from Belén de Carrillo, preventing cars from getting to the Pacific beaches of Flamingo, Tamarindo, Brasilito, Potrero and Conchal.

Some of these roads took a painful step backward last year as the pavement turned to gravel. Residents complained that the deplorable condition of the roads, particularly the dust they produce, has caused health and respiratory problems with their children, the daily La Nación reported.

The protest ended when the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) agreed to restart work on the roads.Work began that same day and has continued this week, according to the National Roadway Council (CONAVI) press office.

Authorities expected to make emergency repairs to the roads in January.

Though some repairs have been started in the region, delays in the administrative process and in transferring supplies caused setbacks in the Carrillo sector, according to CONAVI.