Crews continue working to remove debris from Costa Rica’s Route 32, which remains closed on Monday

The removal of more than 4,000 cubic meters of debris that over the weekend blocked Costa Rica’s Route 32 between San José and Limón continued on Monday, with officials from the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT) estimating that transit on the highway would remain closed at least until Tuesday.

The ministry’s director of roadway and bridge maintenance, Cristian Vargas, said staff from the National Roadway Council currently is working in the area to remove the material. The debris must be taken offsite because the land on both sides of the highway is protected in the Braulio Carrillo National Park.

MOPT crews also are working to clear another smaller landslide at kilometer 25, which will be ready Monday evening, officials reported.

Transit to Limón via Route 10 in Turrialba and Route 126 through Vara Blanca-Sarapiquí was reopened Sunday night. However, semi-trailers, buses and other large vehicles are not allowed to use the road.

Forecasts from the National Meteorological Institute state that a tropical wave likely will increase rains in the Caribbean, northern region and the Central Valley starting on Monday evening.

Traffic Police closed passage on Route 4 to Río Frío due to damage in the foundations of the bridge over the Chirripó River. Ministry engineers are currently evaluating the extent of damage to the bridge’s structure.

President Luis Guillermo Solís is currently awaiting a report on available emergency funds at the National Emergency Commission in order to issue a National Emergency Alert.

A video from the Firefighters’ Corps shows efforts to remove a landslide at kilometer 25 of Costa Rica’s Route 32: