Drivers continue to challenge the force of the natural flow in Valle Gothelwhich dragged a person along with his vehicle at the end of last month, who was found drowned hours later.
The situation is worsening now that the country is entering a more intense rainy season, days when torrential rains are generated that cause flooding and strong currents in the channel, making it impassable.
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“Danger, do not cross the ford in the rain, very strong currents”reads the warning sign that the municipal authorities installed in this area where the driver identified as Alberto Romero Martínez, 48, was dragged with his vehicle, until it ended up on the shores of Lake Xolotlán, in Managua.
“This channel is quite dangerous and we warn people, but they ignore it and cross the same as happened with the last truck that unfortunately dragged it along the channel, and the misfortune happened,” recalled Estela, a resident of this sector of Nindirí.
label is not enough
For a former official of the Mayor’s Office of this municipality in the department of Masaya, who preferred to remain anonymous, the installation of a warning sign will create awareness among drivers and pedestrians, however, it will not solve the problem for the citizens who circulate daily through this crossing.
He explained that drivers pass through the area as a quick exit access to Managua and that it functions as an intersection between the highway that leads to kilometer 14, in Veracruz, and Sabana Grande.
“Whenever the currents (of water) pass, that street is impassable, but there are imprudent people who jump (or cross), it is not once, it has already happened several times (because) it is a quick exit access for all who live in the residential areas and who seek to reach the Managua side,” said the former councilor.
According to the latest Traffic Capacity Yearbook of the Ministry of Transportation (MTI), an average of 6,400 vehicles circulate at this intersection and another 7,300 returning to Managua.
“An overpass is needed”
According to Estela, when it rained and the flow began to grow after the Romero Martínez tragedy, police officers came to Valle Gothel to prevent the access of drivers on this road. The mayor’s office even proceeded to install public lighting so that passers-by have greater visibility when driving through this area at night. But the agents are no longer there and the drivers returned to danger.
“You have to raise awareness, there are their crazy people who believe that they can challenge nature and they cross each other without caring about anything because they are in a good car, but that is not enough and it was made clear the other time,” warned the citizen.
Related news: Authorities urge prudence from Nicaraguans who defy strong currents
For her part, the former Nindirí official made reference to the importance of building a sewerage system or an overpass in the area to improve vehicular access, this despite having the opening of the new section of highway between Sábana Grande and Masaya that connects the municipality of Nindirí, and therefore with Veracruz and other communities.
“The Government, with the Mayor’s Office, should build a bridge at unevenness for vehicles to pass because that situation will exist for a lifetime. Valle Gothel is too viable access and therefore I think that the government must put letters in the matter to fix this situation immediately, “he said.
A necessary step, but…
The former councilor also warned that this crossing cannot be closed due to the proximity between the residential areas and Managua, even because it connects with Country Club, Las Jaguitas, Esquipulas, Sabana Grande, Reparto Shick and the highway to Masaya, sectors of Managua.
The former official called on drivers and pedestrians to take extra precautions when driving in this areaAbove all, to the parents of families who have their children studying in the primary school that is located next to the riverbed and who daily use this crossing to get to the educational center.
“The idea of the mayor’s office of putting up a danger signal is good, we as pedestrians and vehicle drivers have to respect because we have the bad habit of trusting ourselves because we are in a good vehicle, but the truth is that we do not have to be abusive, nor defy nature, “he concluded.
In the rainy season, this channel in Valle Gothel becomes a mouth for various connections of natural streams that intersect from some communities of the Ticuantepe municipality and connect with Managua.
By United Voices
