Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Works and Transportation will begin work Monday, May 18, on a new modular bridge across from Juan Santamaría International Airport, in a project aimed at strengthening one of the country’s busiest road corridors. The work will take place on Route 1 in the El Coyol–San José direction. MOPT said crews will first assemble the new structure outside the active traffic lanes, meaning the initial phase should not affect normal vehicle flow in the area.
The new bridge will be a double-truss modular structure with greater load capacity than the existing crossing. The ministry said the replacement is designed to better match the road conditions at the site and handle the speed and weight of heavy vehicles that use the corridor.
The project is expected to become more disruptive once crews move from assembly to the actual bridge replacement. At that stage, traffic controls and possible closures will be required. MOPT said those details will be announced before restrictions are put in place.
For those using Juan Santamaría International Airport, the immediate impact should be limited. Drivers heading through the airport corridor, Alajuela, El Coyol, or San José should still watch for future traffic advisories once the second phase begins.
The bridge replacement is also tied to long-term planning for the San José–San Ramón highway project. MOPT and CONAVI have described the work as a preventive measure meant to improve the corridor’s operating capacity, road safety, and ability to handle projected traffic growth.
The wider San José–San Ramón project received legislative approval in April through a $770 million loan package for improvements along Route 1. The plan covers more than 55 kilometers between San José and San Ramón and includes roadway widening, interchanges, bridge work, bus bays, pedestrian bridges, and other upgrades.
