Q COSTARICA — The traffic nightmare at the Tárcoles bridge is finally coming to an end. Efraím Zeledón, the Minister of Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT), announced on Thursday that starting Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 7 a.m., the bridge over the Tárcoles River will reopen with both lanes available.
Zeledón explained that the bridge had been part of the PROERI program, which targets projects at immediate risk due to severe deterioration and lack of upkeep—making the bridge a real collapse hazard.
“We came out here today to inspect the progress firsthand. This bridge was on the PROERI list for a reason. Its condition was so poor and maintenance so neglected that it could have collapsed any moment,” the minister said.
For weeks, locals and tourists alike have faced long waits trying to get to major tourist attractions like Playa Jaco and beyond, including Quepos, Manuel Antonio, and the southern region. Work on the bridge ran around the clock with double shifts to get it ready for normal traffic as fast as possible.
“This Saturday at 7 a.m., both lanes will open. The traffic controls that have been causing delays will no longer be needed,” Zeledón added.
That said, repairs won’t stop completely. Over the next two months, crews will continue working on both the top and bottom parts of the bridge. During this time, expect partial closures and some traffic regulation, but full two-lane traffic will already be flowing from this weekend.
Many are breathing a sigh of relief after posting on social media about being stuck in traffic jams lasting three hours or more.
Images from Facebook