QCOSTARICA – The Bailey bridge over the Cataratas river, in Bajo Los Rodrigez de San Ramon, collapsed this morning under the weight of two heavy trucks. The drivers no warning sign on its maximum weight capacity existed.
According to the head of the Bomberos, Wagner Rodrigues, the structure could not support more than 30 tons, much less that the two trucks loaded with asphalt.
Cristian Vargas, manager of conversation at the Consejo Nacional de Vialidad (Conavi)- National Highway Council – confirmed the absence of signs, without implying that the two vehicles were authorized to use the bridge.
“It is an unfortunate situation, produced by negligence,” said Vargas.
But whose?
In the accident, drivers Berny Contreras and Ricardo Sánchez, working for the Madeco company, only received some bruises. They were carrying about 40 tons of material to be used in the paving work in Las Rocas.
Passage through is complete closed, authorities not allowing even pedestrian crossing, because of the risk involved. Bus service through the area was also suspended until the bridge is repaired in the coming days.
The closure affects many communities, including residents of La Fortuna, who now must travel to Cuidad Quesada, adding some 48 additional kilometres, to get back on the road to the Central Valley.
LOGIC should have told them not to both cross a bailey bridge with all that weight at the same time. Yes, as is too common here – things weren’t marked properly but where was the LOGIC?? To ME, they are more responsible for this than the fool that forgot to put the weight limit sign up & THEY should be held accountable on numerous levels as this is effecting MANY people’s lives as well. But alas, this IS Costa Rica . . .
This reminds of another situation, the 85 ton crane that tried to cross the Bailey bridge on the autopista General Cañas in November 2012. See story here https://qcostarica.mystagingwebsite.com/yet-another-chapter-in-the-autopista-general-canas-moving-crane-collapses-bailey-bridge/.