Q COSTARICA — A sinkhole has blocked Ruta 27 at kilometer 56, caused by heavy rains on Wednesday afternoon.
The collapse of a culvert is believed to be the cause of the sinkhole reported on Wednesday afternoon on Ruta 27, near Las Fruteras in Orotina, Alajuela, which is why the road remains closed.
According to the concessionaire Globalvía, the situation has led to the temporary closure of the area near the fruit orchards in Orotina, requiring drivers to use alternate routes.
El Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) issued a statement regarding the sinkhole, detailing the alternate routes available to drivers to avoid the affected area, as follows:
- Route 1, Inter-American Highway, Cambronero: open only to heavy vehicles.
- Route 757, the old road to Orotina: drivers should turn towards the Pozón roundabout and return to Route 27. This route is open only to light vehicles.
The concessionaire, Global Via, will cover the repair costs, and its engineers are already on site analyzing proposals to restore traffic as soon as possible.
Authorities also confirmed that, due to the sinkhole, work in Cambronero, scheduled to begin Wednesday night, has been suspended. At this time, no new date has been set for the resumption of the work.
The closure occurred at kilometer 56, between Orotina and Coyolar, where the sinkhole affected two lanes.
The reopening time of the road is currently unknown.