Van der Laat & Jiménez, H3 Guatemala, Constructora Codico, Bagatrac S.A. and Constructora Meco are some of the main companies that last year won contracts to design and build public works in Central American countries.
An analysis by CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence Unit provides interesting data on the companies that in 2019 were favored with contracts to design and build government buildings, roads, bridges, streets, overpasses and other public infrastructure works in Central American countries.
In August 2017, 36 environmental impact studies were submitted in the centralamerican countries to build sewer systems, roads and government offices, among other things.
Data from the interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData:
Details of the ten most important public infrastructure construction projects in terms of investment, for which environmental impact studies were presented in the last year.
Of the 10 most important public construction projects for which Environmental Impact Studies (EIAs) were submitted to the respective authorities in Central American countries between August 2016 and July 2017, the most noteworthy are three that are to be developed in Costa Rica, with an estimated total investment of $437 million.
A group of Costa Rican construction companies insists with the proposal made to the previous administration to expand the 107 kilometer of the road to Limon at a cost lower than the Chinese option.
The five builders who suggested their plan to the former officials of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works are once again knocking on the doors of the institution, this time proposing that the current chief, Carlos Segnini, consider the initiative as an alternative to the loan from the government of China, of $465 million.
In the waning days of an administration marked by scandals and inefficiencies in infrastructure, the rush to execute contracts is notorious, and there are even extensions being given out without tenders or bids.
Residents of the capital San Jose seem puzzled over how resurfacing works are to be carried out on streets that are apparently in good condition.
Five Costa Rican construction companies have submitted a joint proposal to take over the expansion to four lanes of 107 miles of kilometers to the Caribbean.
The companies, Codocsa, Desarrollos Mega, Pedregal, Productos de Concreto and Traesa submitted a joint proposal for the expansion to four lanes of the Rio Frio to Limón stretch on Route 32. They did not mention the cost or method of financing, but claim they are charging less than the amount proposed by China Harbour Engineering Company.
A previously called into question local company offered lower prices than international consortia who also submitted bids.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) has awarded to the consortium Hernan Solis-La Estrella the construction of the northern stretch of the ring road, at a cost of $141 million. Work will begin in the first months of 2015 and will take 18 months.
Complaints have been made that the bill awarding construction of the Caribbean route to a Chinese company was approved without preliminary drawings, calculation of materials and study of costs.
Grupo Consenso believes that it is "unacceptable" that the Committee on Financial Affairs agreed to accept as reasonable the cost presented by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), in the amount of $465 million.
Spanish, Chinese and Costa Rican companies submitted bids for the expansion to four lanes of a 1.7 kilometer stretch of urban road.
The National Roads Authority (Conavi) received six bids for the proposed expansion and renovation of National Route 3, located from the intersection of the factory in Pozuelo Uruca to Jardines del Recuerdo at the Valencia de Heredia.
The Mexican company ICA, the Dominican La Estrella, the Chinese Sinohydro and two Costa Rican construction companies are bidding for road works projects worth $115 million.
The Mexican ICA, the Dominican La Estrella, the Chinese Sinohydro were those companies involved in a contest conducted by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) for the construction of the northern section of the ring road in the capital city.
The delay in the approval of the Chinese loan for the construction of the road to Limón suggests the need to consider other options.
The Government of China has set December 31 as the deadline to maintain the conditions of $395 million loan offered to build the road to Limon, but the Legislature could take up to April 30, 2014 to discuss it.
Although the Executive Branch will ask the Chinese government for an extension, the need has arisen to evaluate alternatives so as not to delay one of the most important routes for the country's economic activity.
The Chairman of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros de Costa Rica says there is $13 billion available in domestic financial institutions that could be profitably invested in road infrastructure.
Prensalibre.cr reports that at a hearing of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly, the president of the INS, Guillermo Constenla explained to deputies "his opinion on the possibility of financing of the route between San Jose and San Ramon. "
The first competition imposed tight deadlines for the submission of tenders, resulting in its abandonment due to lack of bidders.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has announced that in two weeks it will publish the tender for new designs for the reconstruction of three sections of Route 1856, on the border with Nicaragua.
In total, the cost for the design of the 160 kilometers of road on the border will reach $3 million.
Monteverde is a renowned destination for eco-tourism and adventure holidays which is home to more than 200 companies specialising in lodging, tours, entertainment, food and souvenir sales.
A statement from the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) reads:
In light of the poor condition of the road to Monteverde
• Hotels in the area are already seeing a significant drop in occupancy rates.
Construction has begun of the highway between Vuelta Kooper in San Carlos and Bajos de Chilamate in Sarapiquí, which will facilitate the production output of the area to the port of Limón.
The 27 kilometers of road should be constructed by December 2014, if there is not more than the usual amount of rain, which would delay the works.
According to Alejandro Molina, director of MOPT, the project will cost $52.4 million and will reduce by 60 km the distance by road between Vuelta Kooper of San Carlos and Bajos de Chilamate de Sarapiquí.