The National Emergency Commission issued a resolution on the imminent risk of the poor state of public infrastructures such as bridges, highways, schools and railway tracks among others.

In response to this emergency resolution, President Rodrigo Chaves announced the request for a $700 loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) to invest in improving public infrastructure.

 

As part of this plan, the government will develop a study of the areas where there is more structural damage to determine the most urgent places that should be repaired.

According to authorities, the risk situation analysis carried out by the Commission determined that there are over 2,500 places classified in serious condition where there is a real possibility that people are putting their lives at risk by traveling on damaged roads or bridges, or by staying in places with severe structural damage such as some public schools.

On the high-risk list are more than 150 highways, over 80 bridges, more than 30 schools, about 70 railways and more than 2,150 houses.

Much of the damage to public structures is caused by flooding. This year alone, the Commission reported having attended more than 5,800 flood emergencies.

Authorities estimate that since 2005, the country has registered losses of more than $3 billion due to tropical storms during the green season.

 

However, before being able to execute the infrastructure repair plan, the government must present the agreement with the bank before Congress. Then, the deputies will decide whether to approve or reject the millionaire loan.

This is one of many loans requested by Costa Rica to international banks recently. This week, the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) offered the Institute of Electricity (ICE), a loan of $300 million for the development of 5G technology projects in Costa Rica.

Also, President Chaves announced this week a loan of $450 million with (CABEI) to develop the project named Government City.

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