Circunvalación to be closed for two months; new plate restrictions possible

Photo courtesy of MOPT

September 12^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) will close the Circunvalación in the area of Hatillo 8 for at least two months in order to remove four Bailey bridges that are structurally compromised and in risk of collapse.  Workers will reinforce the river embankments on which the bridges are placed before reinstalling the bridges.

The Circunvalación is an important beltway that circles the capital city, used by thousands of drivers each day.  In anticipation of serious traffic congestion caused by the closure, authorities or calling for an executive order that would expand San José’s vehicle restrictions.  The proposal, which still requires an executive order, would be:

• Plates ending with 1 and 2:  Restricted during rush hours (7am-8am and 4pm-7pm) on Fridays; full day (6am to 7pm) on Mondays.
• 3 and 4: Full day on Tuesdays and rush hours on Mondays.
• 5 and 6: Full day on Wednesdays and rush hours on Tuesdays.
• 7 and 8: Full day on Thursdays and rush hours on Wednesday.
• 9 and 0: Full day on Fridays and rush hours on Thursday.

The original installation of the Bailey bridges – which have lasted a little more than one week – cost road authorities more than $700,000.

Correction Notice: This article was corrected at 9:03 A.M.  The vehicular restriction originally read ‘Plates beginning with,” and should have been ‘Plates ending with.” We regret the error.