Ruta 32 is the highway leading from the capital San José to Puerto Limón, passing through three Conservation Areas. This road is the country’s central axis of transport, and the two lanes are insufficient for its increasing frequency of use. Heavy-load trucks remain the only means of commercial transport, since the train service was disrupted in 1995. In an attempt to reduce state debts, then president José María Figueres Olsen closed down the national train company Incofer. North of the capital, the road crosses the Braulio Carillo National Park, part of the Área de Conservación Central.

Immediately after leaving the Braulio Carillo Park, the road is being extended to four lanes over the length of 107 kms.

In this context, 26,000 trees, most of them native, had to be felled. The China Harbour Engeneering Company (CHEC), contractor of the road extension, committed to fund compensation measures for the overall value of 600,000 US$, in the form of an endowment fund over 10 years to be established by CCT. Under the management of CCT, a total of 36,000 trees are being newly planted. These seedlings will benefit formerly deforested areas within CCAs, but also farmers in the CBZ, who will thereby contribute to the establishment of biological corridors. Part of these trees to be given to local landowners are fruit trees with the potential to improve the livelihood of their owners.

The Barbilla National Park and its vicinity will benefit from part of the conservation payments.