The Chilean authorities have reported that the border crossing to Argentina will be operational again this Friday, but only light vehicles will be allowed to circulate. As of Monday, the tasks of clearing the route began, estimating that it will take three days to completely clear the affected area. However, it was projected that the Los Libertadores Complex would remain closed for at least a week.
The Public Works Seremi, Yanino Riquelme, announced that it is expected to open International Route 60-CH in two or three days to allow the transit of light vehicles through the crossing of the Los Libertadores Border Complex. Six affected points were identified on the route between Guardia Vieja and Los Caracoles, which has made it difficult for trucks to circulate.
Disseminated images show the route near the crossing completely destroyed with large rocks that have made transit through the international corridor impossible. The trans-Andean authorities described what happened as a “weather catastrophe” on the other side of the mountain range, which caused a week of closure on the route. The Highway Department is carrying out tasks to clear and replace the pavement in the international corridor.
In Argentina, around 2,500 trucks are parked between Luján de Cuyo and Uspallata, waiting to cross the border. Faced with this situation, both the provincial government and the national coordination of border crossing they have taken measures to alleviate the funnel that has formed.
Despite the fact that the Los Libertadores Border Complex will remain closed for at least another week, it is planned to enable the route in advance so that light vehicles can reach the crossing. The Civil Association of United Truckers of Mendoza has requested solidarity from the Chilean authorities, since the parking lots are collapsed.
