The Constitutional Court ordered the National Roadway Council (CONAVI) to pave route 160, but the section to be paved does not include the segment of approximately 30 kilometers that connects Nosara and Samara.
The constitutional appeal (recurso de amparo) was presented this year on September 18 by the director and students of the school of Rio Grande of Paquera, claiming that residents of those communities have health problems due to dust during the dry season, according to resolution Nº 2013014510.
The national route 160 traverses much of the coast of Guanacaste, beginning in Santa Cruz and extending to Paquera.
Although there are rumors that the stretch between Nosara and Samara will be paved next year, this was denied to The Voice by the press department of the Constitutional Court.
According to the press department, the ruling forces CONAVI to pave the 25 kilometers from the cemetery of the community of Rio Grande to the school of Paquera within period of no longer than 18 months.
Maintenance Halted in Nosara and Samara
Meanwhile, those who live along route 160 in the stretch between Nosara and Samara are still awaiting the promised pavement and maintenance.
According to Julio Viales, regional director of the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), the work is at a standstill because the asphalt plant in Chopo in Cañas stopped working a month ago, and also rain has prevented work on the road to be performed normally.
Adding to this problem is the lack of economic resources from MOPT’s regional budget and also there are currently only six dump trucks available for hauling asphalt when 20 are actually needed to work fast. The director said that they are looking for a bulldozer.
“The main problem is that we don’t have suitable material for the base and the ground quality is expansive clay, which prevents the asphalt from adhering well. Moreover, the [asphalt] plant (asphalt) is shut down and I have very little equipment,” said Viales.
Also, the director said that the route doesn’t have adequate drainage for the proper evacuation of water, and the amount of tree branches over the route creates moisture that prevents the new pavement from drying well.
Viales explained that for now, MOPT will continue filling the holes with the material available.
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