Brazilian company OAS wants Costa Rica to pay $45 million for highway contract suspension

The Brazilian company OAS is seeking $45 million in compensation from the Costa Rican government for the termination of a contract to rebuild the highway between San José and the canton of San Ramón in Alajuela.

The request was made through a letter received Thursday by Casa Presidencial in which the company details expenses it has incurred in the process, including $33 million paid by OAS to a previous concession holder, Autopistas del Valle. The company also lists $900,000 in taxes and some $11 million in other expenses and investments dating back to March 29, 2012.

Planning Minister Roberto Gallardo said the National Concession Council is analyzing the OAS figures and will have a response on Monday.

Gallardo added that officials will ask OAS to submit all the necessary documents to substantiate their claims.

President Laura Chinchilla in April cancelled the concession after residents of San Ramón and outlying areas held several protests against the project, which would have charged $8 in round-trip tolls on the 58-kilometer highway for the next 30 years.