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

The work is necessary after a portable prefabricated truss bridge, commonly known as a Bailey bridge, was damaged when a container transport truck struck the structure around midnight Monday, officials said.

The bridge is located between the canton of San Ramón in Alajuela and the canton of Esparza in Puntarenas. It will remain closed to all traffic for at least two months while crews carry out emergency repairs.

The reconstruction will be completed in two phases.

First, workers from the National Roadway Council (Conavi) will clear debris from the site and remove the damaged bridge.

MOPT crews will then install a new portable Bailey bridge to restore traffic flow while permanent repairs are being planned and completed.

Authorities are also developing a long-term plan to build a larger bridge at the site on Route 1. That process is expected to take several months because the location has a steep slope and a sharp curve, creating significant engineering challenges.

Authorities have designated two detours during the closure.

• 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 road signs will be positioned near the closure to direct drivers toward the designated alternate routes.

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

The Route 1 project is part of a broader effort to upgrade transportation infrastructure in Costa Rica's rural regions. In July, traffic resumed on a section of Route 27 in Alajuela Province after weeks of repairs following a major roadway collapse.

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

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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

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