Fresh concerns for bridge traffic

A visible 35 meter widening crack and signs of collapse in one of the roads leading to  the bridge of the Americas could  endanger vehicular traffic.

The crack on the west access road was first seen in December 2010, just when one of the entrances to the Centennial Bridge collapsed.

The situation requires urgent action, according to a former Minister of Public works Jose Antonio Dominguez, who visited the site with a La Prensa journalist  and warned that the internal damage could d be double what can be seen on the outside.

“This is not a superficial problem, but deeper. You can see that from one extreme to another, which means that the deterioration is growing,” he said.
 The leader of public transport in the west, Ruben Dario Bozzi, said bus owners are complaining that they suffer the effects of the crack in the road.
The decline in road damages the shaft, shocks and all suspension system of vehicles traveling the route , said Bozzi.
Buses  are capable of carrying s up to 60 passengers and the repair costs must be borne by the owner of the bus, not the state, which should be more responsible and maintain the road in good condition, he said.