New Highway to Central Pacific's Jaco, Manuel Antonio Area Opens This Week

New Highway to Central Pacific's Jaco, Manuel Antonio Area Opens This Week
 
 This week, Costa Rica is set to unveil a long-awaited highway from San Jose to Caldera, which will cut the usual two-hour journey from the capital city to that central Pacific town of Jaco, down to as little as 45 minutes.
 
 Planning for the highway began more than 30 years ago. Motorists can begin using it Wednesday, according to the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT). The toll will be 2,000 colones ($3.58) each way for cars.
 
 However, MOPT Minister Marco Vargas said last week that he will not open the toll booth in Ciudad Colon unless authorities find it necessary. The statement came at a time in which drivers in Santa Ana and Ciudad Colon have objected to the 160 colones ($0.29) toll to travel between the two towns. The road authorities will increase the tolls at other booths to make up the revenue, according to MOPT.
 
 The route cuts through Costa Rica's mountain sides and includes 14 new bridges. This will be a more direct alternative to the scenic, yet long route that climb steep mountainsides and weave around sharp bends.
 
 The project was initially estimated to cost $100 million, but after construction began, costs rose to more than $229 million.
 
 The private company Autopistas del Sol will maintain and operate the highway under the concession granted by MOPT.