For the umpteenth time, Cuban authorities have closed the Havana Bay Tunnel due to the need for repairs. The General Directorate of Provincial Transport of Havana announced on its Facebook page that the tunnel was shut down this Friday in the Cabaña-Havana direction for drainage operations.
The shared photo shows a significant accumulation of water in the viaduct, likely caused by the rains brought by Hurricane Helene. According to the statement, the work will be carried out in the coming hours to restore transit through this area as soon as possible.
Public Frustration Over Repeated Closures
The news sparked discontent among numerous social media users. "The worrying part is that there was recent maintenance on the Havana and 5th Avenue tunnels, and they flood every time it rains," one commenter noted. Another added, "We should be asking those who 'fixed' it last month what exactly they did." A third user elaborated, "The drainage system is useless. All they did was slap on some paint and patch a few holes. That was the entire 'repair'."
Recurring Maintenance Issues
Just over four months ago, the Havana Bay Tunnel, which sees about 32,000 vehicles pass through daily, was partially closed again for maintenance. Minister of Transport Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila indicated that the rehabilitation work in the Cabaña-Havana direction would extend for 11 days in May.
At that time, authorities recommended drivers use alternative routes such as Vía Blanca, Ciudad Deportiva, Avenida 26, Avenida del Puerto, and the Anillo del Puerto. The minister had announced in mid-April that the works were completed and the tunnel would reopen to traffic, but also mentioned that further work would resume in early May to "execute the task on the left wing without halting vehicle circulation."
Historical Context of Tunnel Repairs
Over its 65-year history, the tunnel has undergone multiple maintenance interventions, including a major overhaul in 2001 by the same French company that initially constructed it.