Bridge of the Americas carrying excess traffic loads

The Bridge of the Americas across the Panama Canal, is carrying traffic far in excess of the capacity and weight for which it was designed  in 1962.

Some 60,000 vehicles are crossing the bridge each day, double its capacity and trucks carrying 45 tons, 15 tons more than planned  are traveling across says a detailed report in La Prensa.

The report highlights the absence of maintenance teams on the bridge structures and the use of repair materials not approved by international experts.

But Public Works Minister, Federico Suarez, says "the Bridge of the Americas is not at risk."

The extra traffic is due to the closing of the Centennial Bridge during repairs to access roads, damaged by recent flooding. As the  Bridge of the Americas needs to be closed during repair work, maintenance will be delayed for at least six months. {jathumbnail off}