The TAA pUnKS another…

Doesn't this look pretty? La Nacion got a nice shot along the Caldera "Highway to the Sun" project. Shut down in Sept., constuction re-started in Oct.

Each weekend I curse the authorities for not finishing the Caldera Highway — but no longer (I now direct my ire at the contractor).

In September, Costa Rica’s Environmental Criminal Court* shut down operations on the new highway from San José down to some of the world’s most spectacular beaches.  The contractor Autopistas del Sol S.A.’s shoddy work contaminated about 20 streams and an aquifer because of poor run-off design.  Along with Costa Rica’s Transportation and Public Works Dept., the contractor was required to submit new studies and plans before work could continue.  Something must of happened — on Oct. 6th construction resumed.

The Criminal Court had been snooping around for about 6 weeks, examining the highway.  The President of the Court, José Lino Chávez, said they observed the contractors dumping debris into rivers (busted!).  Of course the contractor said they were up to code and have been revised by a series of state agencies.  They probably were (wink, wink).

I travel every weekend between the United Nation’s University for Peace in Ciudad Colon near San José and the Monteverde cloud forest where my wife and daughters live while attending school.   If the Caldera Highway were finished it would take an hour off my trip.  When it comes to the environment, I’d rather take my time.

*The Environmental Criminal Court really isn’t an accurate translation — it just sounds really good.  A direct translation of the Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo would be the “Environmental Administrative Tribunal” which has none of the luster that one deserves for punking eco-assholes.  Don’t you think?  Good, we’ll go with the Criminal Court then.