The Ministry of Public Works (MOPT in Spanish) has announced the construction of a new four lane bridge alongside the old bridge, which has structural problems, on one of the most important routes in the country.
The busy route between San José - Alajuela, fell into chaos several times due to ineffective repairs to the bridge that connects the road to the General Cañas Highway.
The Permanent Bi-national Commission has urged the Ministries of Public Works of Panama and Costa Rica to construct a bridge over the river border at Sixaola in three months .
A temporary (bailey type) bridge is expected to be installed in October this year, after the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Costa Rica (MOPT) have conducted technical studies and respective assessments, together with the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) of Panama.
Lack of adequate customs infrastructure and delays to building of new bridge are hampering trade.
In addition to infrastructure problems, businesses describe bureaucratic hurdles with duplication of processes and responsibilities as well as contrasting office hours.
Costa Rica is the main Central American market for Panamanian exporters and the third largest at a global level. For Costa Rica, Panama is its fourth largest trade partner.
Due to the red tape in both countries they could not come to an agreement to build a new international bridge over the Sixaola river on the border between both countries.
More than three years ago, in April 2005, both governments agreed to build a 240 meter metal bridge to replace the current structure which is more than 100 years old and which is severely rusted and has completed its useful life.