Bridge traffic chaos blamed on drivers

The blame for the traffic chaos at the Bridge of the Americas on Tuesday has been firmly laid on the drivers using the road shoulders and the authorities have a solution … increased fines.

Transit Authority (ATTT), director Jorge Ricardo Fabrega, announced  Friday, January 6, that  they will start fining drivers passing on shoulders.

 Fabrega  was  joined  by Public Works Minister  Federico Suarez, in condemnning the “irresponsible”  actions of drivers  that generated the traffic chaos which forced authorities to postpone the repair work on the bridge  until January 10.

Fabrega's approach is based on the content of Vehicular Traffic Regulations , which 161 prohibits driving on the shoulders of roads. 

There is a $50 fine for the offense.

On Thursday ATTT and Public Works authorities held meetings Thursday, at  flyovers by the roads leading to the Bridge of the Americas and Centennial, and discovered the bad practice. They are now discussing increased penalties, but this cannot be done unilaterally, said Fabrega. The bridge work is going to take 2-3 years.