The discussion has revived after the collapse of the El Alambrado bridge over the La Vieja river, between Valle del Cauca and Quindío. As “obsolete” the infrastructure of Colombia was cataloged.
Colombian News
After the recent collapse of the El Alambrado bridge, over the La Vieja river, experts in road infrastructure in Colombia have expressed their opinion regarding the current state of the country’s highways and roads. And it is that, according to the latest statements by the Minister of Transportation, Guillermo Reyes, about 40% of the country’s infrastructure requires maintenance.
“A number close to a thousand kilometers, 35 or 40 percent of these bridges, are in a situation that deserves to do some studies, repair, maintenance,” said the transport minister.
#At this time We flew over the area affected by the collapse of the El Alambrado Bridge over the La Vieja River, a structure that connects the departments of Quindío and Valle del Cauca. #GovernmentOfThePeople pic.twitter.com/cfKEXeHtg9
– Guillermo Reyes (@MinistroReyes) April 13, 2023
“An obsolete road infrastructure”
In Colombia, the development of the bridges has gone through three phases, from 1950 to 1970, from 1980 to 2000 and after this date in different concessions.
Some are made up of a metallic structure, mixed bridges and those that are made of concrete.
However, over the years, a very old road infrastructure has remained in which the country, experts warn, no longer supports the same loads and current capacity.
“Today, in some concessions, it is being analyzed whether the bridge should be demolished or if it has the possibility of being repowered and put into service in accordance with the conditions of the concessions,” said German Pardo, an expert from the Colombian School of Engineering.
It is estimated that billions of dollars are required for the maintenance of bridges and road infrastructure, a figure almost equal to the national budget this year.
That is why they call on the current government to create an infrastructure and maintenance plan.
It may interest you: Five vehicles were passing when the Alambrado bridge broke in La Vieja: via Valle – Quindío
