Published on Thursday, October 9, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) has relaxed traffic restrictions on the Tárcoles River Bridge, better known as the “Crocodile Bridge,” along Route 34, in Puntarenas Province, as crews carry out urgent structural repairs.

The bridge, a well-known tourist stop where visitors often watch dozens of crocodiles sunbathing on the riverbanks below, has become a regional landmark and a key driver of crocodile-watching tours in the area.

According to authorities, the structure faces a serious safety risk and could fail in a major earthquake if not repaired soon. Engineers determined that immediate reinforcement is necessary to prevent permanent damage.

To keep vehicles moving, MOPT has adjusted traffic flow to allow alternating one-lane passage 24 hours a day. Pedestrians can still cross the bridge, but stopping on the walkway to view crocodiles is strictly prohibited.

However, nighttime closures may occur from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in exceptional cases, and the public will be notified in advance.

Traffic officers have been deployed and warning signs installed to help manage the flow of vehicles. Drivers heading toward Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast are advised to plan for possible delays, while tour operators are urged to prioritize safety and reduce unnecessary trips across the bridge.

Officials specifically recommend that motorists traveling from the cantons of Parrita, Quepos, and Garabito take extra precautions under the new traffic pattern.

The Crocodile Bridge is a vital economic link between San José and the Pacific coast, supporting an estimated $1.8 million in daily trade and transport activity, according to MOPT.

The rehabilitation project will unfold in four phases: strengthening and adapting the bridge’s foundations, reinforcing its support columns, improving soil conditions and erosion protection, and repairing the upper structure.

The $6.7 million project, financed through a loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), began in August and is expected to take about a year to complete.

The bridge repairs are part of a broader infrastructure push. Earlier this week, authorities also announced the reconstruction of a section of Route 1 along the Inter-American Highway near Cambronero, Alajuela Province, following a major landslide over the weekend that destroyed part of the road.

MOPT is the government agency responsible for overseeing Costa Rica’s roads, ports, airports, and public transportation systems.

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