The Transport and Public Works Ministry (MOPT) hopes that the construction of a 120-kilometer roadway that runs just south of the Río San Juan will be completed next year, the daily La Nación reported Monday. Construction of the roadway, which will connect the border towns of Los Chiles, San Carlos, and the delta of Río Sarapiquí, began earlier this year while Costa Rica and Nicaragua disputed Isla Calero, the swath of land in the northeast corner of Costa Rica.
According to La Nación, members of MOPT are using the Río San Juan, which forms part of the northern border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, to transfer construction materials. The road will be the first-ever ground route to connect the towns. Transportation between the border towns is only possible by river.
Overall road construction costs are estimated at around $13 million. The road is expected to be 14 meters wide and will have six bridges.
In December, President Laura Chinchilla announced plans to construct roads to improve border security and transportation in the small towns. The Nicaraguan government continues to dredge the Río San Juan to deepen it and improve the ease of travel.
