The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced Monday that reconstruction has begun on a section of Route 1 along the Inter-American Highway near the canton of Cambronero, in Alajuela Province.

The project follows a major landslide over the weekend that wiped out the asphalt surface and rendered the road impassable.

The landslide destroyed both lanes of the highway across roughly 100 meters between the cantons of San Ramón in Alajuela and Esparza in Puntarenas.

Officials said the stretch will remain closed to all traffic for at least a month while crews carry out emergency repairs.

Reconstruction will take place in three phases. First, workers from the Electricity Institute (ICE) will remove downed power poles and electrical wiring from the affected area.

Next, teams from the National Roadway Council (Conavi) will clear debris, including rocks, trees, and soil, left by the slide.

In the final stage, MOPT crews will install a portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge (commonly known as a Bailey bridge) to restore traffic flow until permanent repairs can be completed.

Authorities are also developing a long-term plan to rebuild this section of Route 1. The process is expected to take several months due to the site’s steep slope and sharp curve, which pose significant engineering challenges.

Drivers are advised that the route will remain closed for at least one month. Two detours have been designated:

Light vehicles: should use the rural road connecting the districts of Río Jesús to Piedra Blanca, which rejoins Route 1.

Heavy trucks: must take Route 27, which links Alajuela and Puntarenas.

Traffic officers and signage will be positioned near the closure to direct drivers toward the alternate routes.

The Route 1 project is part of a broader effort to upgrade infrastructure in Costa Rica’s rural regions. Recently, authorities also announced major improvements to a highway connecting the provinces of Alajuela and Puntarenas, aimed at providing better access between local cantons and the Central Pacific Coast.

MOPT is the state-owned organization responsible for overseeing roads, ports, airports, and public transit nationwide.