Route 27 closed after major landslide; engineers had warned of danger

This image, captured from an aerial drone, shows the damage. (Courtesy of the National Fire Brigade)

June 4th, 2015 (InsideCostaRica.com) Route 27, which connects the western suburbs of San Jose to the Pacific port of Caldera, remained closed Thursday morning after a major landslide Wednesday afternoon.  The highway is an important route connecting San Jose to the country’s Pacific coast.

The landslide occurred at kilometer 45 after heavy rains Wednesday afternoon.

The National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LANAMME) has repeatedly warned of the risk of landslides on the highway, including on May 24^th when engineers specifically warned of the hazard on the stretch between kilometers 38 and 48 where yesterday’s landslide occurred.

In a November 2014 statement circulated to the press, LANAMME warned that the situation on Route 27 is “critical” and “represents a danger to road users.”

“We have repeatedly warned about the vulnerability of various points [on Route 27],” the statement said.

An April 2014 report by LANAMME warned that at least six slopes on the highway posed risk of collapse or landslide.

The April study found that between kilometers 37 and 48, several of the hillside slopes covered with spray-on concrete (known as “Shotcrete”) that tower over passing motorists are damaged and could fail.  Some 16,000 vehicles pass through the area each day.

Globalvia, the concessionaire in charge of the highway, has yet to determine when the highway could be reopened.  A November 2014 landslide in the same section kept the highway closed for three days. 

Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries.