Heavy Vehicles Banned from Cienfuegos Bridge Due to Imminent Collapse Risk

In an urgent move, Cienfuegos traffic authorities have banned heavy vehicles from crossing the Amarillas 2 Bridge located on the Southern Circuit between Aguada de Pasajeros and the Matanzas town of Amarillas. This decision comes amid fears of an imminent structural collapse.

The Provincial Road Center reported that recent technical inspections revealed significant deterioration in the bridge's structure. According to the official media outlet Cinco de Septiembre, a critical erosion was found at the foundations of both abutments, along with substantial loss of fill in the approaches. This has resulted in road surface subsidence and severely weakened the bridge's load-bearing capacity.

Given these circumstances, it was decided that vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons—such as trucks, buses, and other heavy cargo transport—pose an extreme risk. Continued use of the bridge under these conditions could accelerate its deterioration, potentially leading to partial or total collapse, endangering the lives of drivers and pedestrians as well as causing significant material damage.

As part of the urgent measures, highly visible signage indicating the weight and access restrictions will be installed immediately at the bridge entrances and key points along the route. Alternative routes will also be established, including detours toward the elevated section of the National Highway at kilometer 165. To ensure compliance with the ban, traffic officers and inspectors from the Ministry of Transport (MITRANS) will be present in the area.

Additionally, a thorough structural inspection of the bridge has been conducted, and a Technical Task is being developed to carry out immediate repair and recovery efforts. Authorities urge the public and transport operators to adhere to the current regulations, emphasizing that public safety is the top priority. Cooperation from everyone is crucial to prevent tragedy and preserve this critical infrastructure.

Widespread Deterioration of Cuba's Road Infrastructure

The situation with the Amarillas 2 Bridge is not an isolated incident but part of a broader issue concerning the deterioration of road infrastructure in Cuba, which has raised concerns among citizens in recent years.

In December 2024, residents of Havana reported the perilous state of the bridge over the Almendares River in Vedado, noting visible cracks, rusted structures, and a general lack of maintenance. Photos shared by locals highlighted a prolonged neglect that poses a risk to pedestrians and vehicles traveling this vital artery of the capital daily.

A similar case was reported in May 2024, when users warned about the poor condition of a bridge on the National Highway near Cárdenas, Matanzas province. At that time, photos showing pronounced cracks in the structure went viral, causing concern among drivers about a potential collapse.

In April of the same year, a Cuban citizen publicly denounced the critical state of a bridge on the road connecting Moa to Baracoa, warning of its potential collapse if urgent action was not taken. The lack of signage and preventive measures was a significant concern among the local population.

Even in 2023, the situation was troubling in other parts of the country. In Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara province, residents alerted authorities about the severe deterioration of the bridge over the Sagua River, whose damaged structure endangered both locals and those crossing it daily.

In July 2022, the collapse of a bridge on the road from Holguín to Mayarí disrupted traffic due to a large sinkhole in the pavement.

These reports indicate a widespread trend of insufficient maintenance and timely repair of bridges and highways in Cuba, exacerbating the risk of accidents and collapses. The condition of the Amarillas 2 Bridge underscores the urgent need for more effective infrastructure conservation policies to avert tragedies.