The National Concessions Council of Costa Rica tenders the services to monitor compliance with the operation of the Concession Contract for the San José-Caldera Highway and the construction phase of the expansion of that route.
Costa Rican Government Purchase 2020LI-000001-0008400001:
"The Contractor shall provide the professional services of specialized technical consultancy to guarantee the fulfillment of the obligations defined in the Concession Contract, both in the exploitation process in which the contract is currently underway, and in the construction stage for the expansion of the awarded route, working as the technical arm in the analysis and management of each of the technical, legal, financial and economic aspects that make up the Concession Contract.
Due to the health alert facing Costa Rica, the China Harbor Engineering Company decided to lay off 180 employees working on the Route 32 expansion project, which has already fallen behind on previous occasions.
In December 2019, it was reported that the Asian construction company asked the National Road Council (Conavi) for a 400-day extension to deliver the 107-kilometer extension, which connects the Rio Frio intersection with downtown Limon.
Hernan Solis SRL and Ingenieria Estrella S.A. won the contract to widen 50 kilometres of the road from Barranca to Limonal, and 3 kilometres from La Angostura, between El Roble and Barrio El Carmen, in the province of Puntarenas.
The works on the Interamericana Norte will last 30 months, from the start order, while the extension of La Angostura should be ready in a 12 months’ period, informed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT).
In Costa Rica, authorities announced that work to widen a 46-kilometer stretch connecting the bridge over the Virilla River to the Sucio River, valued at $643 million and to be paid for with tolls over 30 years, is close to being approved.
Due to delays caused by situations beyond the control of China Engineering Company, the Costa Rican authorities agreed to postpone by 174 days the delivery of the work to expand Route 32.
Initially the China Engineering Company (CHEC), asked the National Road Council (Conavi) for an extension of 400 days to deliver the extension of 107 kilometers, which connects the crossing to Rio Frio with the center of Limon, however, the authorities only agreed to delay for 174 days, therefore, the work would be delivered no later than March 2021.
In the first quarter of the year, 21 environmental impact studies were presented for projects of street rehabilitation, construction and expansion of highways in Central American countries.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private construction projects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
During 2018, 88 environmental impact studies were presented for projects to rehabilitate streets, build roads and bridges in Central American countries.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private construction projects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
In Costa Rica, discussions have continued to plan the expansion of the route from San José to Caldera, and it is estimated that the works will require about $600 million in investment.
The 77-kilometer road has been operated by Globalvia since its opening, and according to the authorities' forecasts, if the project were to be executed, work would begin in 2021, which would have a five-year duration divided into different phases.
In Costa Rica, the H. Solís-TPF Ingeniería consortium proposes to extend a 46-kilometer stretch that connects the bridge over the Virilla River with the Sucio River, a work valued at $643 million and to be paid with tolls for 30 years.
The proposal for the extension of the road section that was presented to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) by the business consortium is still in the analysis phase.
After having faced multiple delays, it has been reported in Costa Rica that in the second half of 2019, the first works to expand the road between San José and San Ramón will begin.
The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Rodolfo Méndez, explained that "... in the second half of next year the start of the expansion work is planned, including three main bridges with resources from CONAVI contributed to the Trust and other works will be defined at a later date such as exchanges and interconnections."
In Costa Rica four private banks and two state banks have expressed interest in becoming trustees of the $436 million trust fund for expanding the road from San Ramon to San Jose.
Public banks interested in becoming trustees of the project are the Bank of Costa Rica and Bancrédito, and the private banks are Scotiabank, Lafise, BCT and Improsa. Representatives from the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced that the next phase will establish the conditions and timetable for the tender to select the trustee.
The Legislature has approved a special budget for road renovation works, road widening, construction of overpasses and breakwater at berths.
From a statement issued by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica:
With 44 votes in favor lawmakers approved on its second reading record 19464, modification No. 9289, Act RB extraordinary Republic Act for fiscal year 2015 and the first special budget of the Republic for the fiscal year 2015.
Without having read the contract with the construction company and ignoring final costs, the Legislature has approved the loan with the Chinese government to finance the extension of the road to Limón.
The loan with the government of China for $485 million is tied to a commercial contract with the Chinese state-run construction company CHEC, highly questioned not only technically but at the legal level, since it is one of the companies "...
The signing of a trust by President Solis marks the beginning of the preparation of the tenders for the design and construction of the 69 kilometer road between San Jose and San Ramon.
For the creation of the trust between the banking entities and the National Roads Council they took into account state banks, pension operators and the National Insurance Institute.
The Legislature has approved the creation of a Bank Trust for $440 million to finance construction of the route from San Jose to San Ramon.
From a statement issued by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica:
With 45 members in favor, unanimous approval was given this afternoon (February 5th) in a second debate to processing file 18887 on the Act for Development of Public Works on Highway, San Jose, San Ramon and its ring roads using a trust.