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The former administration was under pressure to open the highway as soon as possible, and as such former president Oscar Arias cut the ribbon on January 27, 2010, some six months ahead of the July 2010 schedule and the original December 2010 completion date.

However, since the first days the highway became known as the "autopista de la muerte" (death highway) following a number of accidents being blamed on the road design and construction and though not accused directly, of the poor management by Autopistas.

With the start of the rainy season in May the situation got worse for Autopistas, as heavy rain caused land slides and rock falls, mainly between kilometres 37 and 48 that runs from Atenas to Orotina, causing the ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT) to completely close off on June 12 the 11 kilometres strecth of road.

The question is, who is to pay for the modifications necessary to make the highway safe and lessen the risk of mudslides and rock falls? and what about the loss of daily revenue by Autopistas?

The answer is simple, the concessionaire.

The MOPT minister, Francisco Jiménez, explains that all one has to do is to look at the concession contract.

Jiménez said in no uncertain terms the government will not indemnify the company (Autopistas).

The road was to have been completely re-opened this past week following two reports by experts. However, minister Jiménez preferred to side with caution, maintaining his order of closure until at least this coming week when a third report is due.

The cost to Autopistas is estimated at ¢18 million colones (us$33.000) daily from the loss of the toll charges at Atenas, the only toll booth affected by the road closure, for a total of us$693.000 for the last 21 days.

In addition, Autopistas has invested much more in the work and materials to shore up the wall faces causing the rock falls and earth moving to change the slopes at the areas of the landslides.

Since the closure, experts hired by the government and Autopistas have come to the same conclusion, there are sections of high risk on the highway.

"Our job is to apply the law and if they file for indemnity, it won't happen", said minister Jiménez.