Costa Rica Restores Limited Traffic on Route 27 After Major Sinkhole Collapse

Costa Rica's Route 27, the main highway connecting San José to the Pacific coast, partially reopened with limited single-lane traffic after a major sinkhole closed the route at kilometer 56 in Coyolar de Orotina. The collapse, triggered by culvert failure during heavy rainfall, forced drivers onto secondary roads for nearly two days while emergency repairs began. Full restoration is expected to take approximately two weeks.

The Collapse and Immediate Response

The sinkhole opened Wednesday afternoon when a surge of water and debris overwhelmed the culvert system beneath the highway, causing both lanes to collapse across a significant stretch. The affected area, near Las Fruteras in Orotina, cut off the country's busiest corridor, which connects the Central Valley with Caldera, Puntarenas, Jacó, and other Pacific destinations. Images from drivers revealed a deep crater spanning the full roadway width.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) immediately activated alternate routes to redirect traffic. Heavy vehicles were rerouted through Route 1 in the Cambronero sector, while light vehicles were directed through Route 757, the older Orotina road, passing through Coyolar before rejoining Route 27 where accessible. Officials suspended additional roadwork scheduled for the Cambronero area to keep that alternative corridor available.

Temporary Opening and Repair Timeline

Police-regulated traffic resumed with officers controlling alternating one-way flow through a single temporary lane, allowing vehicles to move in both directions on a controlled rotation. This measured reopening was designed to ease congestion on overwhelmed secondary roads while Globalvia, the highway concessionaire, continued emergency stabilization work at the site.

A modular Bailey bridge is scheduled for installation early the following week, enabling two lanes to operate through the damaged section while permanent repairs proceed. The complete restoration involves removing and replacing the failed culvert, filling the damaged area, repaving the roadway, and restoring lane markings. Officials advised travelers to check conditions before departing San José and to expect delays near Orotina, particularly those headed to Pacific destinations or the port of Caldera.

Economic and Logistical Impact

The disruption occurs during peak weekend travel season, when Route 27 typically handles heavy traffic between the capital and coastal areas. The route is critical for freight operations moving through Caldera, one of the country's principal Pacific ports. The combination of reduced capacity and emergency detours has created substantial delays for both leisure travelers and commercial cargo operators dependent on timely delivery schedules.