By Wendy Anders

Costa Rican Transportation and Public Works Ministry is preparing for a big push on the expansion of the Virilla Bridge which connects San José with Cariari, Belén, Alajuela, the international SJO airport, and other westward points.

Work to expand it from its current rough 4 lanes to an impressive, solid and wider 6-lane expanse is going to involve some further closures in upcoming weeks.

Over the past months there have been temporary closures, and recently a few that have lasted more than a day.

Starting Saturday, January 21, only two lanes will be available for transit, and use of these will be rationed during certain times of the day to manage the immense vehicular flow that predominates on the country’s main Route 1 into San José.

The bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction – one lane from San José towards Alajuela, and one lane from Alajuela towards San José – from January 21 until Saturday, March 4, according to the most recent news announcement by the MOPT.

This new phase of the bridge’s revamping comes after 10 months of structural and anti-seismic reinforcement work, as well as expansion of the substructure (bottom) of the Virilla bridge on the General Cañas highway, said the MOPT.

During morning and afternoon peak hours – 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday, the only vehicles allowed on the bridge in either direction are authorized public transportation – including taxis, buses, and student buses; company and tourist buses; all emergency vehicles, and trucks over 6 tons, said the MOPT.

All vehicles can circulate over the bridge using the reduced 1-lane in each direction at all other times outside of those peak hours; expect to face delays due to the restricted lanes.

Any unauthorized vehicles attempting to use the bridge during restricted hours face fines of ¢ 51,316.25 (about $94), said the MOPT.

Other measures to mitigate the impact of the bridge work include more government employees working from home, increased train service from Alajuela and Belén, and day-rate parking lots being established in Alajuela and Belén for commuters to transfer to buses during peak hours, said the MOPT.

Officials said they would provide constant monitoring of traffic during the 6-week period, and regular updates on any changes that might affect travelers.