QCOSTARICA – Imagine being able to drive from La Uruca to Guadalupe on the Circunvalación without a rotonda?
That will soon be a reality with the construction of three underpasses that would eliminate the rotondas (rotundas) at the Guagamaya (Paso Ancho), Garantia Sociales (Zapote) and La Bandera (San Pedro), the three remaining between on the Circunvalación from La Uruca and the Walmart store in Guadalupe.
The deputy ministro e Infrastructura (Infrastructure), Mauricio Gonzales, said that the project will require an investment of US$50 million dollars, which will come from a loan from the BCIE (Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica).
Currently preparations work are underway at the Paso Ancho intersection, in September work will begin at the Garantia Sociales and two months later at La Bandera.
The work will greatly affect traffic along the Circunvalacion during the construction stage, but that is the price urban dwellers have to pay for an improved road infrastructure.
In all three cases, underpasses similar to the San Sebastian will be built, one for lower construction costs and two allowing a better development of the urban landscape and reduce noise emissions, according to Gonzalez.
Gonzalez added the work will also include improvements to bridges over the Los Negritos and Maria Torres river, one pedestrian overpass and two bus bays.
The deputy minister did not comment on the elimination of the three traffic lights through the Hatillos.
The Circunvalación was developed as ring road around the inner city of San José. However, the north section of the road (from La Uruca to Guadalupe) has never been built. The Consejo Nacional de Vialidad (Conavi) has over the years been acquiring land and drafting plans for the eventual completion of the Circunvalación, but disputes over expropriation has stalled the process for more than a decade.
