The Coto 47 airfield along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, in the southernmost area of the Puntarenas province, about 10 miles form the Panamanian border, just got a major overhaul.

The investment exceeded €1.02 billion or roughly US$1.76 million, and will benefit businesses, residents and visitors in the southern Pacific region, said the Costa Rican government in a press statement.

Coto 47 (IATA: OTR, ICAO: MRCC) is accessible to locations such as Pavones, Sabalos, Ciudad Neily and Playa Zancudo. A scheduled bus, the Finca 40, leaves for Ciudad Neily daily, and there are also many taxis available for transport to other locations, according to information on Wikipedia.

The work consisted of replacing the bearing surface or track, the construction of two turning platforms, painting the track and platform, adding safety strips over a 3,215 m2 area, improving the rainwater drainage system and runway lighting, construction of a safety booth, and placing new mesh around the perimeter of the airfield.

The Coto 47 runway is 1,008 meters long and 18 wide.

Funding for the project came from the Technical Council of Civil Aviation (CETAC, its initials in Spanish) and the General Direction of Civil Aviation (DGAC, its initials in Spanish).

“This renovated airfield allows us to connect an area of ​​great tourist and productive potential; an area that requires projects that continue to dynamize the economy and generate employment, welfare and development. This was one of the goals of the National Development Plan,” said President Solís Rivera at the inauguration last week.

The aerodrome is classified as Category 1-A, and complies with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Enio Cubillo, general director of Civil Aviation, added that “this airfield is a key alternative route when there are …road closures due to landslides.”

There are several other air travel infrastructure projects in the southern Pacific currently underway, reported the government.

The first phase of the Drake runway has been concluded, and the second phase is project to commence in September 2017.

Likewise, the Puerto Jiménez runway was ready to begin improvements in June. And a project to improve the Quepos airport is in the public bidding phase, and work is also slated to begin in September 2017

Finally, a project in Golfito involving a ₡971 million (US$1.67) investment is awaiting sign off by the country’s comptroller’s office.