ICT and MOPT sign an agreement for the production of 2,000 road and tourist information signs

Road signage is essential to provide the correct location and confirmation of routes for national and international tourists. In addition, they indicate the remaining distance to destinations, alert about services and inform the proximity of a tourist attraction, beaches, volcanoes, national parks or conservation areas.

Its maintenance and renewal must be permanent, due to the deterioration and the need to locate travelers who travel in their vehicles or tourist transport from coast to coast and throughout our country.

Aware of this need, William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism and Luis Amador, Minister of Transportation, signed a cooperation agreement between the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) and the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) for the design, preparation and placement of road and tourist information signs.

Said agreement will have a contribution of ¢500 million colones from the ICT for a period of four years. With the ¢125 million annually, the development of 2,000 road and tourist information signs is projected.

“The recovery in the levels of visitation, generates a greater displacement throughout the country of national and international tourists after the pandemic, poses a series of challenges, such as providing a more modern, durable and resistant tourist signage. the main routes of our country, improving the experience of travelers who wish to enjoy the many natural and cultural attractions, as well as the biodiversity of our country," said William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism.

His counterpart and chief, Luis Amador, expressed his satisfaction with the signing of this alliance and promised to provide technical support from MOPT, throughout the process from production to installation of road signs where they are most required. of the corresponding studies, all with the aim of improving the movement of tourists.

Teamwork signs

As detailed in the agreement between ICT-MOPT, "it is imperative to join efforts to protect the physical and patrimonial integrity of tourists, improving the conditions of travel on the different transit routes and places of tourist destinations."

Both ministries will work together to place 2,000 new signs in this four-year period.

The MOPT will update the inventory of current signs according to the routes with the highest tourist circulation and their geo-referencing. In addition, based on its technical competence, it will supervise the manufacturing work, placement of the signs of the company contracted under the public bidding process, maintenance, always ensuring that they comply with current regulations and the characteristics established in the Central American Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, approved by SIECA.

For its part, the ICT will be in charge of establishing needs, the bidding process, the established annual budget contribution and carrying out all the administrative procedures for the immediate execution of the agreement, from the signing of the agreement, held on July 25 in Guanacaste. and as part of the Presidential Tour.

Finally, the coordination and execution of the agreement will be the responsibility of the General Directorate of Traffic Engineering of the MOPT, specifically the Departments of Regional and Road Signage.

In the case of the ICT, it will be in charge of the Tourist Service Department. In the event of any delay or delay in the placement of the 2,000 signs, the contract may be automatically extended for a period of one additional calendar year to complete all the corresponding preparation, placement and verification work.