QCOSTARICA – The proposed construction of an international airport in Orotina creates multiple business opportunities, ranging from construction and operation, to expansion of the surrounding road infrastructure.
The project, at a cost of US$5 billion dollars, would also benefit tourism; the airport being closer to the Pacific beaches and more tourists with largest capacity.
The agriculture industry would also benefit, producers can increase export capacity, thanks to more direct flights with larger aircraft to Europe.
The Ruta 27 would have to be expanded to at least three lanes in each direction between Orotina to San Jose. There will also be a need to connect the airport to the train. The national railway, Incofer, would in charge of creating a San Jose – Orotina corridor.
There is still a lack of clear definition of the project, however, what is clear is that it would be difficult to expand the Juan Santamaria international airport (SJO), given the limitations of space in the area.
The government this week announced the contracting of an international consultant – the British firm, Mott MacDonald – for the preliminary study of the Orotina airport. The cost for the technical, operational, construction, financial, social, meteorological, and environmental analysis, among others, is US$1.6 million dollars.
The Orotina airport would have a capacity for 10 million passengers yearly, be built on 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres), with three runways that can accommodate large aircraft such as the A380 and Boeing 747-800.
Source: La Republica
