All Entries in the "MOPT – Costa Rica Ministry of Transportation & Public Works" Category

Costa Rica Jaguars get a Protected Migration Pathway

Animal conservation groups are working to create natural corridors for big cats to travel through human-populated areas.

One such corridor is already in-place to help Costa Rica’s jaguars survive, but development is a constant threat to even established pathways.

The Inauguration of Costa Rica’s First Female President

Saturday May 8th, 2010 Laura Chinchilla Miranda was inaugurated into office as the first female president of Costa Rica.

The democratic, peaceful transfer from current President Óscar Arias Sánchez to Laura Chinchilla Miranda took place in a specially constructed viewing area in Parque Metropolitano La Sabana while visiting world dignitaries looked on.

President-elect Laura Chinchilla Names Cabinet, Creates Drug Czar

Costa Rica’s President-elect Laura Chinchilla has been busy formalizing her economic, foreign relations, domestic and national security teams.

She also went on the offensive against the growing regional problem of narcotics trafficking by stating drug interdiction will be one of her government’s main priorities as she announced the establishment of a new anti-drug commissioner.

Costa Rica’s New Traffic Laws Take Effect March 1, 2010

Costa Rica’s new and sweeping traffic reform laws (reformas a Ley de Tránsito) will finally be the law of the land on March 1st, 2010.

The cornerstone of the new reform is the computerization of drivers’ license records, and the use of a strict points system to force drivers to re-evaluate and change their driving practices.

North Dakota Tourists Narrowly Escape Costa Rica Bridge Fireball

Costa Rica and Potholes Costa Rica is as famous for its monkeys, beaches, volcanoes and hot springs as it is for its “potholes”. Normal driving in Costa Rica includes cars and trucks weaving along narrow roadways, often times crossing into oncoming lanes of traffic, in attempts at avoiding potholes – or at least just trying [...]

Costa Rica’s San José to Caldera Pacific Highway now Open

The Costa Rica government officially opened the new Autopistas del Sol San José to Caldera Pacific highway on January 28th, 2010 … 3 months ahead of schedule; but only after 30+ years of planning, stops, starts, controversy and perseverance. Posted speed limits on the new autopista range from 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per [...]

Costa Rica’s Caldera Highway, a Direct Route to the Pacific Coast

A 30 year road project is finally nearing reality in Costa Rica. UPDATE: Costa Rica’s San José to Caldera Pacific Highway now Open (click here for article) The 77 kilometer highway from San José to Caldera is expected to cut 45 minutes off travel to the Central Pacific Coast, which is currently accessible via Aguacate [...]

T’was the Week Before Christmas and All Through Costa Rica…

…drivers continue to engage in road-combat during the holiest of holidays in this Catholic country. Kids are out of school, government employees are off work, many are on vacation for most of the month and churches can become standing room only gathering places for several generations of entire families. The mood of Costa Rica as [...]

The Costa Rica Frog’s Black Friday, 19 Hours No Electricity

The Costa Rica Frog had a real “Black Friday” yesterday with no electricity for 19+ hours. The day and night without computers, Internet, television and everything else powered by electricity was put to good use with time spent; at the gym, lunch at a café not affected by the outage, Spanish lessons that only required [...]

Costa Rica Highways Much Improved & Losing Bad Roads Reputation

Costa Rica has never been known as having great roads, but things are changing quickly. After years of planning, delays, construction, more delays and finally real progress; two major Costa Rica highway projects are nearing completion. The Caldera Highway extension from San Jose to Orotina near the west coast and the Pacific coastal Costanera Highway [...]

Costa Rica Cars Don’t Share Roads Well With Bicycles

Costa Rica offers many diverse outdoor activities due to its unique location, terrain and ecology. Visitors to Costa Rica are familiar with tours and rentals that include; boating, jet skiing, sport fishing, horseback riding, dirt biking, 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tours, zip lines, hiking, swimming, etc., etc., etc. However, a little known fact to many [...]

Costa Rica Allocates $15 Million to Repair Bridges After Tragedy

The Costa Rica government announced that it is allocating $15 million for the reparation of 10 bridges, two days after a tragedy that took five lives and sparked a barrage of criticism against Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) Minister Karla Gonzalez. Costa Rica MOPT Minister Karla Gonzalez announcing money allocation for bridge repairs after the [...]

Costa Rica Bridge Collapses, Bus Falls Into Tárcoles River – 5 Dead

Costa Rica roads have seen some major improvements over the last few years, but many rural roads still feature ancient suspension bridges consisting of rusty cables and piecemeal roadway surface materials. Reported this morning in Costa Rica newspaper La Nacion, 5 people died and 34 were injured after their bus plunged into the Tárcoles River [...]