Laura Fernández admits Route 32 roundabouts were a mistake

Costa Rican President Laura Fernández has admitted that the decision to construct eight roundabouts on Route 32 was a mistake. The project, implemented during the administration of Rodrigo Chaves while Fernández served as minister, cost approximately 2,821 million colones ($5.6 million).

Fernández acknowledged that the roundabouts were not ideal for the highway, stating that the administration “put our boots on before our socks” regarding the project. Local mayors and experts had previously warned that the roundabouts would cause traffic congestion, effectively turning the road into a parking lot.

To rectify the situation, the government announced it will revert to the original plan of constructing 10 underpasses. This corrective measure will involve an investment of $100 million from the National Council of Roads (Conavi) budget. The Route 32 expansion project has faced long-standing controversies dating back to 2012, involving delays and financial issues.