Published on Wednesday, July 24, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

 

The Amistad Bridge over the Tempisque River in Guanacaste Province reopened to traffic on Wednesday, after nearly four months of construction closure, announced to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT).

The bridge's name, La Amistad, meaning friendship, comes from Taiwan, the country that built and paid for it in 2003 as a sign of friendship between both countries. In 2007, former President Óscar Arias quit relations with Taiwan and turned priority to China.

President Rodrigo Chaves is set to attend today the reopening ceremony to be held at 11:30 a.m., as part of his official trip to Guanacaste.

This vehicles and pedestrian bridge half a mile in length, completed with eight supporting pillars and a pylon, serves as the main connection between the Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces.

The bridge's renovation involved fixing the supports at the bases, replacing the segments that connect the asphalt slabs, and repairing the towers' upper floors.


Furthermore, renovations such as installing a lighting network along the bridge and paving the road surface were carried out.


To execute these tasks, the private company Estrumet Metalmecánica was hired for more than $2.6 million, which comes from the ministry's budget.


The MOPT is the government organization in charge of roads, airports and maritime ports planning and construction. It also regulates public transportation.


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