Opportunity to participate in a public works concession
Costa Rica Prepares Tender for the Expansion of the San José – Cartago Route
The project contemplates the modernization of one of the main connecting routes between San José and Cartago, structured as a public works concession with a private initiative already approved by the MOPT to advance toward tender.
US$416.36M
US$614M
25 years
Why this project is capturing market attention
The San José – Cartago Road Corridor Expansion and Improvement Project involves the modernization of the Florencio del Castillo Highway, one of the main connecting routes between San José and Cartago, structured as a public works concession.
Private initiative already approved by the MOPT to advance toward the tender for the expansion and improvement of the Florencio del Castillo Highway.
Concession term of 25 years, as indicated by the National Concessions Council (CNC).
Strategic intervention on one of the country’s most congested corridors, including a grade-separated crossing or viaduct between Hacienda Vieja (Curridabat) and the Garantías Sociales roundabout (Zapote).
Phased development scheme indicated in recent communications, to be confirmed in the final tender documents.
Tender in preparation: the MOPT has indicated its publication for the second half of 2026, with references to September or October, which opens an upcoming window for technical analysis.
Preliminary scope of the works
The project is intended to upgrade the Florencio del Castillo Highway, over an extension of approximately 24.3 kilometers, increasing the capacity of the San José – Cartago corridor, and includes widening the highway to three lanes per direction in certain sections, as well as functional improvements to bridges, grade-separated crossings, interchanges, bus bays, and complementary works.
One of the most relevant components is the connection between Hacienda Vieja, in Curridabat, and the Garantías Sociales roundabout, in Zapote, by means of a grade-separated crossing or viaduct aimed at improving connectivity toward Cartago and reducing congestion at one of the corridor’s most critical points. Recent communications describe a phased scheme: the first would cover the section between Hacienda Vieja and the start of the Taras – La Lima project, in Ochomogo, and the second would comprise the viaduct between Hacienda Vieja and Garantías Sociales. This structure will need to be confirmed in the final tender documents.
Key aspects to be defined in the tender documents
The following elements still need to be specified in the final tender documents and are worth monitoring closely:
Final scope of the concession and works included, and whether it will be tendered as a single contract or through differentiated phases.
Regime applicable to the private initiative and rights of the original proponent.
Technical experience requirements in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of concessioned highways.
Minimum financial capacity, financing structure, and financial closing obligations.
Revenue model, tolls, tariff adjustments, potential state contribution, and ARESEP’s involvement in tariff matters.
Guarantee regime, penalties, contract term, early termination, and risk allocation.
Rules governing consortiums, subcontracting, assignment of participation, and accumulated experience.
Schedule for queries, clarifications, submission of bids and award, and challenge mechanisms.
Legal framework
Contracting modality: public works concession
The project is structured as a public works concession, under the General Law on the Concession of Public Works with Public Services, Law No. 7762, which constitutes the general legal framework for this type of contract.
In addition to that law and its regulations, it will be essential to review the final tender documents, the specific rules governing the private initiative, the treatment of the studies submitted by the proponent, the financial model, the toll scheme, the potential involvement of ARESEP, and the risk allocation conditions between the Administration and the future concessionaire.
Source: Law No. 7762, General Law on the Concession of Public Works with Public Services.
Portfolio snapshot
| Project | San José – Cartago Road Corridor / Expansion of the Florencio del Castillo Highway |
| Location | Road corridor between San José and Cartago, along the current Florencio del Castillo Highway |
| Proposed modality | Public works concession |
| Intervention extension | Approximately 24.3 kilometers |
| Concession term referred to by the CNC | 25 years |
| Reference cost of the CNC | US$416,360,000.00, subject to review of feasibility studies |
| Initial investment indicated by the MOPT | US$614,000,000, according to institutional communication from September 2025 |
| Other recent public references | Estimates close to US$500 million or higher; the final amount will need to be confirmed with the tender documents and the financial model |
| Current status | Proposal stage and review of feasibility studies; no final published tender has been identified |
| Expected tender publication | Second half of 2026, with references to September or October for the publication or launch of the process |
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