The work to pave the last 42 kilometres of the Costanera Sur betwem Quepos and Dominical began yesterday (Saturday).

Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, was on hand in Savegre de Quepos, to inaugurate the commencement of the work that will connect the Costanera from the Pacific coast to Dominical and points south.

According to Casa Presidencial, Meco y Sánchez Carvajal were given the contract and will cost about ¢20 billion colones.

The ministra de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT), Karla González, added that this is an important route for commerce as well as tourism in the area.

For the last several decades, tourists, as well as commerce, have to elect between a road that was filled with potholes, almost non existing bridges, to say the least, and the long route around Perez Zeledon and the Cerro de la Muerte, to complete the trip between Dominical and San Jose.

Imagine visitors in Quepos having to return to San Jose to get to Dominical, a seven hour plus trip or face all kinds of hazards.

For those who ventured on the Costanera between Quepos and Dominical, the 42 kilometre trip takes now about 2 hours and more, on a good day and with no rain, facing potholes the size of craters (some exaggeration, but not much), bridges that swayed with the passing of vehicles, flooding of some parts of the road and rocks, lots of rocks.

Once completed, the trip between Quepos and Dominical less than 30 minutes.

Although the paving work has commenced, no indication was made by the MOPT nor Casa Presidencial, when the work is expected to be finished.