Published on Tuesday, August 19, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) has suspended crocodile watching from the pedestrian walkway of the Tárcoles River Bridge on Route 34 due to urgent repair work.

The bridge, often called the “Crocodile Bridge,” has long been a popular tourist stop, where dozens of crocodiles can usually be seen resting along the river’s sandy banks. The spot has fueled the growth of crocodile-watching tours throughout the region.

Officials say the bridge faces imminent risk because it cannot withstand a major earthquake and could be permanently compromised if repairs are not carried out.

A key economic link, the bridge connects San José with the Pacific coast and supports an estimated $1.8 million in daily trade and transport activity, according to authorities.

The $6.7 million rehabilitation project, financed through a loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), is expected to take nearly a year to complete.

The work will be carried out in four phases, including strengthening and adapting the foundations, reinforcing the support columns, improving soil conditions and erosion protection and repairing the upper structure.

To keep traffic moving, vehicles will be limited to alternating one-lane passage, 24 hours a day. Beginning in September, however, nighttime closures will run from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for at least four months. Pedestrian crossings will remain open, but lingering on the walkway to watch crocodiles is strictly prohibited.

Authorities have posted signs and assigned traffic officers to assist with vehicle flow. Drivers heading to the Pacific coast are urged to plan ahead, while tourism operators are asked to prioritize public safety and minimize unnecessary trips across the bridge.

Officials specifically advise drivers traveling from the cantons of Parrita, Quepos, and Garabito to take extra precautions under the new traffic regulations.

MOPT emphasized that the project was carefully planned to minimize disruptions. “We have coordinated and planned this repair work to move the project forward as quickly as possible while minimizing the impact on users,” the ministry said in a statement.

MOPT manages the country’s roads, ports, and airports, as well as its public transportation policies.

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Do you know of any bridges in your community that also need urgent repairs? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com