The Ministry of Public Works and Transport announced on Apr. 10 that the longitudinal beams for the new bridge over the Guacimal River, located on National Route 606 toward Monteverde, have been installed. Steel cables are now being placed through these beams as part of the next construction phase.
According to officials from the Construction Management of Roads and Bridges at the National Road Council, tensioning of these cables is expected to begin today. These cables are an important part of each beam’s structural capacity and help secure all pieces together.
The bridge features five lines of beams, each consisting of three pieces with a total length of 35 meters. The beams were built off-site and transported to their current location. Authorities also said work is underway to fill in the abutments supporting both ends of the structure.
Current progress on construction stands at about 33 percent. Officials reminded drivers that a modular bridge remains open to traffic in this area, allowing normal transit while work continues on the new concrete structure.
Construction on this new concrete bridge began December 2 and will include two lanes—one in each direction—as well as approach roads and road markings on both sides. The improved roadway will connect Monteverde in Puntarenas with Route Interamericana Norte via this upgraded crossing point over the river.
The project is expected to be completed within approximately nine months, or about 200 working days, with a total length for the new structure set at 35 meters. The cost has been estimated at ¢1,452,000 or around ¢685 million at current exchange rates.
