Construction begins in May on the new bridge over the Río Coronado at Coronado de Osa on the Costanera Sur highway. Heavy rains in August 2020 eroded a pillar on the original structure and forced its closure. Drivers crossed the river on a temporary ford for a short time before crews installed the modular Bailey bridge in September that year. The single-lane setup has carried traffic in both directions with alternating passage ever since at kilometer 179 on Ruta 34 in the Osa area.
The Bailey bridge uses prefabricated sections that crews can assemble quickly in emergencies. It serves as the main connection for residents and visitors heading to southern Pacific beaches and towns. Although placed as a temporary fix nearly six years ago, the permanent replacement has taken this long to start while the project reached its final design stage under the government’s Programa de Emergencia para la Reconstrucción Integral y Resiliente de Infraestructura, known as PROERI.
The new structure spans 60 meters and includes two lanes plus sidewalks. Officials designed it to handle future climate events. The project carries a price tag of $2.5 million and runs for 240 days.
Before main work gets underway, crews will relocate the existing bridge to open a temporary passage. This step keeps vehicles moving throughout construction. The upgrade will eventually return two-lane traffic to this section of Ruta 34.
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