The
Virilla Bridge Requires Major Surgery!
The problem of the "platina" (steel plate)
of the Virilla bridge is becoming a bigger
problem than expected for the Ministerio de
Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT).
For the past several weeks the MOPT has been
trying unsuccessfully to repair the bridge,
causing traffic chaos on three occasions
with a complete closure of the westbound
lanes of autopista General Cañas and
constant traffic congestion as the latest
repair work left a gaping 4 inch gap across
the span of the bridge.
And despite assurances by MOPT officials led
by minister Karal González, further
investigations reveal that the bridge needs
a complete overhaul.
Experts believe that the complete surface of
the bridge needs replacement, as the "loza"
(concrete slab) is cracked and shows severe
signs of wear and tear due to a lack of
preventive maintenance for decades.
The bridge was constructed during the
Francisco José Orlich administration
(1962-1966).
However, if the physical repaid of the
bridge is complicated, the process of
getting financial approval is even worse, as
the MOPT has to begin the process of
authorization that must be approved by the
Contraloría General de la Republica
(Comptroller's office) before trhe Consejo
Nacional de Vialidad (CONAVI) can begin the
process of carrying out the work.
Minstra González admitted that there is a
study in the archives that points to the
problem at the bridge and that the
replacement of the loza is part of the
recommendations. However, it wasn't until
this week that several retired engineers
began publicly speaking about the
replacement of the loza, that it became part
of the official solution.
The problems faced by the MOPT is the long
and complicated process of the Contraloría
authorization which can take three months or
more and the time to prepare the bid and
award the contract.
For that reason the ministra was not able to
give a time when the repair work will begin.
In the meantime the MOPT and the CONAVI
assure that the bridge is secure, contrary
to the physical evidence. |
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