Official figures released Wednesday by the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT) say the fallen bridge on the General Cañas Highway mean daily losses of $1.5 million for the country.
That amount is determined by taking into account losses by the government, private businesses and citizens.
Experts from the University of Costa Rica’s Structural Materials and Models National Laboratory held MOPT responsible for the collapsed Bailey bridge, saying those types of bridges “are a temporary solution for two months maximum, and this one has been functioning for four.”
Also on Wednesday, Communications Minister Francisco Chacón announced a series of measures such as the suspension Friday and Monday of school classes in several cantons in the provinces of Alajuela, Heredia and San José. Chacón said repairs would be carried out 24 hours a day to re-establish transit through the area by next Tuesday.
To help with traffic congestion, Traffic police assigned 150 officers to the highway and on alternate routes. The measures were outlined during a meeting with President Laura Chinchilla.
Schools that will suspend classes on Friday and Monday include:
In San José Central Canton: Merced, Catedral, Hospital, Carmen, Uruca, Pavas and Mata Redonda districts.
Elsewhere in San José: cantons of Escazú, Santa Ana and Tibás.
In Alajuela: central canton.
In Heredia: central canton, Santo Domingo, San Pablo and Belén.
