The sign at the beginning of the construction in David says, Excuse us for the disruption for the next thirty Seven kilometers, Speed limit 30 KPH. The construction is real and for now focused between Portorillos and Boquete.We are about a week into a $119,000,000, 37 kilometer road widening project. That is about $3,216,216 USD a kilometer. The project is supposed to be done in about 1100 days, about $108,181.00 USD per day.
When completed, it, combined with the airport runway extension in David and the equally costly widening of the Interamerican from David to San Felix will change the dynamics of this area. Consider this, the ride from Boquete to David will be less than 30 minutes and far safer than it is now. The ride from Boquete to Las Lajas, the best beach in the area will be less than 90 minutes. Flights will be direct from Tocumen to David. Consider the ramifications.
The current government is made of business people, they expect Return on Investment, ROI. I understand the meaning, invest $300,000,000 in infrastructure in Chiriqui to expand the tax base and the opportunities for private business to profit. Each of the business people working for government are there to benefit their businesses, not for the meager government salaries. They are using government money to enhance business, possibilities. This is not a bad thing if people, most of the people benefit. The best known example in the US was Ronald Reagan’s, trickle down economics, some people think it worked. Others, like George Bush, the elder called it Voodoo economics. I am sure others have opinions on this bit of history.
For now, if you live here and drive to David expect delays. Delays for construction, delays for dump trucks and to add to the delays, watch out for the now infamous Pele Police.
Pele Police were camped on the outskirts of David during peak traffic hours yesterday, backing traffic up to the Interamerican Highway, about twenty minutes of delay. They have a nifty little scanner in which they scan your drivers license and cedula, if it is a Cedula with a magnetic strip. If the scan reports back a traffic or other more serious violation be prepared to be detained. There is no need for probable cause, if you are driving it is cause enough. If you have a traffic ticket, I recommend you deal with it, before you have your car impounded. You can check your driving record at this ATTT link.