Published on Monday, September 15, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A new 450-meter grade-separated passageway over Route 2 has officially opened to traffic, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced this week.

The structure sits near La Lima District, over the Florencio del Castillo Highway, the main corridor connecting the provinces of San José and Cartago. It is designed to ease congestion between the El Guarco canton, Cartago city, and onward to San José, allowing vehicles to move more efficiently in both directions.

By elevating one roadway over another, the new overpass prevents cross traffic and reduces delays at one of the region’s busiest intersections.

The project is part of the $58 million La Lima–Cartago highway expansion, contracted to the private consortium H. Solís–Estrella. Authorities say the improvements will benefit the roughly 40,000 drivers who commute daily between San José and Cartago.

Construction began in 2020 and was originally slated for completion in 2023. While the new overpass is now open, crews are still finishing traffic markings, installing streetlights, and completing a roundabout at the lower level. Traffic officers are stationed along the corridor to keep vehicles moving while the remaining work is completed. Officials expect the project to be fully finished within weeks.

In related events, Costa Rica recently inaugurated its first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) charging station, equipped with six fast chargers and on-site amenities. Officials hailed the milestone as a key step in advancing the nation’s transition to electric mobility.

Meanwhile, repair work is underway on the Tárcoles River Bridge along Route 34, better known as the “Crocodile Bridge.” The popular tourist stop draws visitors who come to view dozens of crocodiles along the riverbanks, a sight that has also fueled the growth of crocodile-watching tours in the region.

MOPT, which oversees the nation’s roads, airports, seaports, and public transit systems, emphasized that these projects are part of its broader effort to modernize Costa Rica’s infrastructure.

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Which highways or infrastructure projects in Costa Rica do you think should be prioritized for urgent upgrades? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com