Costa Rica Urged to Repair Early Defects on Circunvalación Norte

Cracks, open joints, drainage problems and rapidly fading road markings have appeared along the newest section of Circunvalación Norte, just 17 months after the $60 million project was officially completed. The problems were identified on the section connecting Calle Blancos with Guadalupe, known as Unit V. The route forms the final link in Circunvalación Norte, one of the most important road projects completed in the San José metropolitan area in recent years. The inspection found cracks in the driving surface of the viaduct, open joints between sections of the structure and protective and drainage work that remains unfinished. Open joints are a particular concern because rainwater, dirt and other debris can enter the gaps. Over time, that can accelerate damage to the roadway and the structure beneath it, especially during Costa Rica’s prolonged rainy season. Inspectors also found no evidence of adequate corrosion protection on some supports beneath the viaduct. Without that protection, exposed structural components may become more vulnerable to moisture and deterioration. Water accumulation was documented near the exit toward the Guadalupe roundabout, creating another potential risk for motorists. Parts of the drainage system remain incomplete or have not shown that they can remove water effectively during heavy rainfall. Road markings are also deteriorating faster than expected. Crosswalks, lane lines, traffic islands and other painted markings have already lost visibility in several areas despite being installed relatively recently. The findings do not mean the highway is structurally failing. Tests showed that the basic pavement structure continues to have good load-bearing capacity and that the driving surface remains generally smooth. Resistance to skidding was also satisfactory across most of the inspected section. However, some areas inside the tunnel recorded lower levels of friction. Those results were not considered critical, but continued monitoring was recommended in case conditions worsen. The distinction is important. The immediate concern is not that the viaduct is unsafe or close to collapse, but that defects appearing so soon after completion could become more expensive and disruptive if they are not corrected now. Authorities were advised to carry out a full evaluation of the viaduct, calculate the cost of repairs and use the project’s construction guarantees to correct the problems. Acting while those guarantees remain available could prevent taxpayers from assuming higher maintenance costs later. Construction of the Calle Blancos–Guadalupe section began in August 2021 under the H. Solís-Estrella consortium. The viaduct opened to traffic on October 4, 2024, even though some surrounding work was still unfinished. The project was declared fully completed on February 28, 2025. Circunvalación Norte was designed to complete a northern bypass around central San José and improve travel between La Uruca, Route 32, Calle Blancos and Guadalupe. The corridor has reduced the need for many drivers to pass through the center of the capital. The early defects now put pressure on transportation authorities to determine which problems fall under the contractor’s responsibility and ensure repairs are completed before routine maintenance becomes a larger public expense.