Costa Rica News - Oct 2, 2005

Road contract approved for Costanera Sur

The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes named Constructora Meco S.A. to repair some 12 kilometers of the Costanera Sur.? The ministry estimates the cost of the contract at $4,237,145.

The plan now must be approved by the Plan de Gestión Ambiental, a branch of the Secretaría Técnica Nacional Ambiental, and countersigned by the Controlaria General de República.? At the current rate with which the project is moving, the ministerio hopes work will begin by March 2006.

Viceminister María Lorena López said that one of the defining factors in awarding the contract to Cornstructora Meco was the decision to use asphalt in the construction of the highway as opposed to concrete.?

Unlike many roads in Costa Rica, plans for this section call for drains, barriers, a green zone, reflector strips and a pedestrian walkway.

The Costanera Sur is fundamental for transit along the southern coast of the country and will serve as an alternative route to Ruta Nacional 2 which crosses the Cerro de la Muerte and ends at the Panamanian border in Paso Canoas.? Such a road would have been indispensable when flooding brought on by the rains of hurricanes Rita and Stan knocked out many of the roads along the southern Pacific coast.?

Willkommen!

Costa Rica charged into the World Cup before a noisy, thrilled and drenched crowd, beating the United States 3-0 on Saturday night in San José, Costa Rica, on goals by Carlos Hernandez and Paolo Wanchope.

The Americans' shutout streak ended at 33 minutes of the first half when a rain-slicked pass from Alvaro Saborio on the right side slipped past U.S. defenders and off the hands of goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Wanchope scored on the rebound.

Hernandez knocked in another goal at 60 minutes as a disorganized U.S. defense left a huge gap down the center of the field. He added a third at 88 minutes before an increasingly giddy crowd that danced and chanted in the stands.

U.S. Confirms New Ambassador to Costa Rica

A Dallas businessman has been confirmed as the new U.S.- ambassador to Costa Rica.

Mark Langdale is president of Posadas USA, a Mexico City-based hotel management firm. He was nominated for the post by President Bush on June 30.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination earlier this week. Langdale was confirmed by the full Senate on a voice vote Friday.

Langdale is a frequent contributor to GOP causes and candidates.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said the appointment makes a Texan ambassador to a key trading partner for the US.

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