(QCOSTARICA) While passage over the Rio Blanco river (kilometre 58) was re-opened, a landslide Tuesday night at kilometre 19, through the Braulio Carrillo, is keeping the Ruta 32 closed.
The minister of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), Carlos Segnini, said that about 7,500 cubic metres of earth fell onto the road and crews are working around the clock to clear the debris.
David Meléndez, director emergencies at the MOPT, said that work was advancing, but, a new landslide Wednesday afternoon delayed the work.
Meléndez would not say when the road would be re-opened. “To say a what day, Saturday or Sunday, I can’t yet”, said Melendez.
Th official added that it has been years since a landslide has occurred at this point in the road from San José to Limón and they want to ensure the prevention of further landslides before re-opening passage to traffic.
“We prefer to keep the road closed right now and not have a rock fall on a passing truck,” said Melendez.
Meanwhile the Consejo Nacional de Vialaidad (CONAVI) was able to re-open at least five national roads: Ruta 126, between Varablanca and San Miguel de Sarapiqui is one of them; Ruta 4 (Río Frío-Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí): Ruta36 (Limon-Sixaola); Ruta 801 (intersection of Puerto Viejo-Talamanca) and Ruta 10, between Cartago and Turrialba.
Continuing closed is the road that connects Santa Rosa de Limón with Beverley, as repairs of the bridge over the river Limoncito continue.