The only way out is the Centenary

Currently the only way outof the capital city towards the interior is the Centenary Bridge, because the road that connects the Bridge of the Americas with Arraijan collapsed in the early hours of Saturday morning, cutting off traffic.

Many people who were planning to take advantage of the long weekend decided to stay home rather than fight the increasing traffic over the Centenary Bridge.

The Ministry of Public Works had operatives working from 6:00 a.m. on Monday morning in an effort to have the way open by today, when the normal working week starts.

The residents of Arraijan and Chorrera will have to face gridlock and long delays for the rest of the week until the road is finally fixed.

Meanwhile, the National Police have set up a checkup point at the entrance of Las Americas Bridge to stop motorists getting stranded on a road that goes to nowhere.

The part of the road that collapsed is located in the area of Loma Cova and measures approximately 80 meters in length.

Until the repair works are finished drivers should go via the Centenary Bridge to Ricardo J. Alfaro avenue (Tumba Muerto) passing Cerro Patacon, or they can take the bifurcation towards Paraiso, that goes up to Pedro Miguel, Miraflores, Cardenas and Clayton.

It is expected that around 38,000 vehicles will be returning from the interior, apart from the thousdands of people who use the road everyday to go to work.

The national director of Inspections of the Public Works Ministry, Adriano Ferrer said that the repair works will include an internal drainage that will, in the future, allow the escape of water without damaging the highway.

Approximately 20,000 cubic meters of boulders are being used to rebuild the road.

Four lanes of the major highway were affected, closing it effectively.

Public Works Ministry said that the road will probably be opened by early morning today at the latest and all the precaution have been taken to avoid further the deterioration of the highway.