Residents of the northwestern part of San Cristóbal de Las Casas have issued an urgent call to municipal authorities to inspect the bridge that crosses the Chamula Stream, which has a visible crack following the heavy rains recorded in recent days.
According to residents, the bridge, built more than 30 years ago, shows significant structural damage in its lower section, where earth and concrete have collapsed. A survey of the area revealed a crack in the structure that could endanger those who use it daily.
“The bridge is already showing signs of collapse at its base. We are noticing it more today, and although we are not experts, we are asking the San Cristóbal municipal authorities to send Public Works and Civil Protection personnel to assess the situation. It is urgent to know if a new bridge or reinforcement is required, but also to post a visible sign warning of the danger,” said one of the residents.
This bridge is a key route connecting several neighborhoods with the Mercado del Norte and the central market, and hundreds of vehicles and pedestrians travel across it daily. Residents warned that continued traffic over a compromised structure could lead to a collapse if measures are not taken in a timely manner.
“The problem is that no one really knows how serious the crack is, and what’s worse is that many drivers and pedestrians don’t even know what lies beneath the bridge. It is essential that a technical study be conducted, the type of material with which it was built be reviewed, and, if necessary, a new rehabilitation or reconstruction project be proposed,” commented another resident.
Therefore, they demand that the relevant authorities, through their technical departments, visit the area and assess the structural damage, in addition to installing preventive signage to alert the public to the existing risk.
Source: oem
