The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced the reopening of a bridge on Route 1, part of the Inter-American Highway, near the canton of Cambronero in Alajuela Province.

The bridge was damaged in September when a container truck struck the portable prefabricated truss structure, commonly known as a Bailey bridge, forcing its closure, officials said.

The bridge is located between San Ramón Canton in Alajuela Province and Esparza Canton in Puntarenas Province. It remained closed to all traffic for at least two months while crews carried out emergency repairs.

The reconstruction was completed in two phases. First, workers from the National Roadway Council (Conavi) removed the damaged structure. MOPT crews then installed a new portable Bailey bridge to restore traffic flow while plans for permanent repairs are developed and implemented.

The new bridge installation cost approximately $838,000, funded through the MOPT budget, officials said.

Authorities are also developing a long-term plan to build a larger bridge at the site along Route 1. The process is expected to take several months because the location's steep slope and sharp curve present significant engineering challenges.

The same bridge was closed in November 2025 after a massive landslide forced the closure of the roadway.

The Cambronero bridge repair is part of broader efforts to upgrade transportation infrastructure in Costa Rica's rural regions.   Recently, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) opened a new fast-charging station in Orotina Canton, Alajuela Province, expanding electric vehicle infrastructure along a key corridor connecting the capital with the Pacific Coast.

In another infrastructure improvement, ICE completed a $16 million project to upgrade street lighting and internet connectivity along Route 32, the main highway connecting San José Province with Limón Province on the Caribbean Coast.

In related developments, for the first time Costa Rica has introduced a digital Marchamo sticker equipped with a chip. More than 2 million vehicle owners in Costa Rica must pay their annual Marchamo fee before Jan. 1, 2027, to avoid penalties.

MOPT oversees Costa Rica's road, port and airport infrastructure, as well as the country's national public transportation policy.

ICE is Costa Rica's state-owned electricity company and the country's main electricity supplier.

--------
Which roads in Costa Rica should be prioritized for improvements?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com