After almost 30 years, the road to Caldera may soon become a reality as the Consejo Nacional de Concesiones (CNC) gave the road builder the green light to begin work on the new road to the Pacific coast.

    Luis Diego Vargas, viceministro de Concesiones, confirmed yesterday that beginning today, January 9, the Autopistas del Sol consortium has 30 months to finish the work and hand over the new road.

    Vargas added that in the last several days heavy machinery began work in the areas of Cuidad Colòn and Orotina.

    Karla González, ministra de Transportes and president of the CNC, added that all is set for the commencement of construction, including the required permits by the Ministerio del Ambiente (Environment ministry) to remove rocks for the construction.

    The deal between Autopistas and the Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica (BCIE) and the Caja de Madrid to finance the deal was signed and sealed on December 21. The cost of the project is us$230 million dollars.

    The new road includes new construction and the expansion of the existing portions along the 77 kilometres between Santa Ana, Cuidad Colón, Atenas, Orotina and end at Caldera.

    The road has been in the planning and construction stage for the last 30 years. The road will become a reality by 2010.

     Spanish, Portuguese and Costa Rican consortium will charge a ¢1.350 colones (us$2.70) toll for the use of the road that will run from the Gimnasio Nacional (in San José) and Caldera.

    The total time for the trip will be about 45 minutes. Currently it takes more than 90 minutes to get to Caldera by way of the Monte de Aguacate or the Interamericana.

    As part of the new road construction, the autopista Próspero Fernández - Escazú to Santa Ana - will be widened to six lanes from the current four. Construction on the widening will begin in May.