Bailey bridge collapses and causes traffic chaos
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November 7th, 2012 (InsideCostaRica.com) The collapse of a bailey bridge located on the General Canas Highway, in the Alajuela-San Jose direction, caused massive traffic jams yesterday afternoon. This bridge was placed in front of the residential complex known as “Los Arcos”, after the road gave way and a large sinkhole took its place on June 26th, 2012.
A few days after the hole appeared, engineers placed a baily bridge in its place. The bridge was to be there temporarily, until the hole could be properly filled, after which a new asphalt bridge was to be constructed.
However, almost three and a half months later, the bridge is still – or was still – there.
Yesterday’s accident occurred when a crane truck crashed against one of the side rails, which caused the entire structure to collapse.
“The bridge collapsed due to the weight of the (crane truck), which currently is leaking diesel, however, it is not causing environmental damage, as it’s not falling into the river. Due to the position of the truck, it is very dangerous to inspect the scene right now because of the vibration on the other bridge (next to this one), and the whole structure could completely collapse,” said Marco Rosales, chief fireman in Belen.
CONAVI (Road Security Council) and the director of the Disaster and Emergency department for the Transit Police, recommended motorists to stay away from the area as much as possible, and use alternative routes instead.
No injuries were reported, and despite the fact that the President, Laura Chinchilla, assured that there would be squads working on the bridge 24/7, the bridge will remain closed until further notice.
At the time of the accident, Chinchilla was participating in the inauguration of a new shopping center in Cartago, called Paseo Metropolis. When asked about how she had been criticized for participating in a commercial act while thousands of citizens were in the middle of road chaos, she responded, (upset) “So I’m an engineer, then?”
The driver of the crane truck, which weighed 85 tons, was given a fine of 94,000 colons, for not having the corresponding circulation permits to drive heavyweight vehicles in this area.
The driver was also given a traffic ticket for crashing with a fixed object (the rail), for which he must respond before the judicial authorities.
The driver, Alberto Marin, stated that he would appeal the fine, as there is no proper signage on the bridge.
Pedro Castro, Minister of Pubic Works and Transportation, stated that they would be initiating a process to charge the company, “Gruas Quiros”, for the damage to the bridge.
During the next three days, the General Canas Highway will be closed in the Alajuela-San Jose direction beginning at the Real Cariari Mall, and ending in the Conservatorio Castella.
The crane truck is currently in the same position, as it was yesterday, when the structure collapsed.
Authorities recommend drivers to plan ahead for severe traffic delays.
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