The Consejo Nacional de Vialidad (Conavi), or the National Road Council, reports that the 780 meter Tempisque River crossing will undergo structural repairs due to support damages from the 2012 earthquake and after.  The dates of the actual closing are not yet set in stone, but the organization is in full swing with the design and planning of the repairs, and have already stated that the project will last for a minimum of 2 months.“We have a first report, with the collaboration of the Technological Institute (TEC), the National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (Lanamme) and we obtained the participation of the original designer of the bridge.  With all of them, and with the support of a company specialized in of load-deadening systems, we are detailing the plan,” stated Mario Rodríguez, executive director of Conavi.  The repairs on the Taiwanese designed, funded and built bridge will cost around $1 million dollars, and is money that will be used with Conavi resources and budget.  The Taiwan Friendship Bridge has also come to be known as the Puente de la Apuñalada, or “Back stab Bridge”, due to former president Óscar Arias cutting ties with Taiwan for their neighbor, China.  We should be hearing a more refined plan and dates for the work within the upcoming months.  

*photo by Andre Quiros