Drive Carefully Along
the Autopista Próspero
Fernández
Driving along the
autopista Próspero
Fernández has always
been risky, but now is
even worse, as the
expansion construction
of the highway has meant
narrower lanes and
constant hazards due to
machinery and men
working in various
sections of the highway.
And that is not to
mention the 45-90 degree
turns required to
navigate through the
Multiplaza, Guachipelin
and Santa Ana
overpasses.
Although a lot of the
work is being carried
out at night,
construction continues
during the day and the
highway that sees some
90.000 vehicles day has
converted into a
dangerous obstacle
course.
In most cases the only
barrier between high
speed traffic is a
plastic barrier placed
on the median that
replaced the concrete
barrier, that anyone
haven the driven the
highway, can attest to
the constant breaks in
the concrete and repairs
from vehicles colliding
with the barrier.
The Próspero Fernández
forms part of the new
highway to the Pacific
port of Caldera, being
expanded from the
current four lanes to
six. The work entails
the restoration and
expansion of the bridges
along the route from San
José to Santa Ana, where
it will join soon to
built road.
Hadda Muñoz, head of the
construction along the
Próspero Fernández,
assures that the road
has proper signage to
warn drivers of the
dangers, especially at
night where visibility
is poor due to the lack
of lighting on most the
highway.
However, drivers
continue to complain and
accidents are racking
up.
According to a Policía
de Tránsito report,
seven accidents occurred
between October 20 and
24, almost two a day,
along the route under
construction.
Although figures are
impossible, many near
accidents have been due
to bright lights used in
night construction
facing oncoming traffic,
and moving machinery
that is working so close
to the roadway causing
drivers to react
evasively.
Driving the highway 10
kilometre section of the
highway from the
Gimnasio Nacional to
Piedades de Santa Ana,
can be summed up in one
word, "carefully".
The ministra de Obras
Públicas y Transportes,
Karla González,
explained that, the
expansion from the
Gimnasio Nacional to
Cuidad Colón, a distance
of 14 kilometres, will
cost us$38.6 million
dollars.
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