Caldera Highway to Jaco Temporally Closed Between Orotina and Atenas

Costa Rica's new Caldera highway from San Jose to Jaco, is temporally closed for repairs along the 11-kilometer stretch between Atenas and Orotina.

The closure, which blocks kilometers 37 through 48 of the 77-kilometer road between San Jose and the Pacific port of Caldera, comes in response to heightened scrutiny over insecure conditions on the road as heavy rain resulted in several mudslides during the past few weeks. Since its opening on Jan. 27, mudslides and falling rocks have been responsible for several injuries and one death on the highway.

The Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT) reports no major congestion on the alternative routes to the Pacific coast. The montes de Aguacate highway, as well as the Cambronero were reported moving well. These former windy, narrow roads had not been used for many since the new Caldera highway opened in January.
  
  The routes are not well marked, and can be challenging at night or in rainy weather.
  
  A warning sign was posted west of the Escazu toll booth warning drivers of the upcoming change of route. Frustrated drivers that missed the notice had to find their way from Atenas to Orotina to route 27.
  
 The statement released by Autopistas del Sol said that they hoped the roadway would be fixed in a “short term”. Costa Rica has increased the number of police patrols along the route from the Sabana and Santa Ana.