The Francisco de Paula Santander border bridge that connects the city of Cúcuta on the Colombian side with Pedro María Ureña, in the Venezuelan state of Táchira, was closed after a structural failure was determined, as announced by the National Highway Institute of Colombia (Invias).
“The decision was adopted after the technical inspections carried out on the structure, in which the advance of erosion and scour processes that affect some of its piers and the final abutment were evident, mainly in the margin corresponding to Venezuelan territory,” says a press release from You send
According to experts from the Colombian organization, “these phenomena, associated with the dynamics of the Táchira River, have generated the deterioration of the terrain and have exposed part of the base that supports the bridge, which increases the risk to access and the functionality of the infrastructure, especially in the event of possible sudden floods.”
In parallel, Invías is carrying out the necessary technical evaluations to define the required interventions, which include works to control the flow of the river and protect the bridge structure, with the aim of stabilizing the environment and guaranteeing its operation.
Given the binational nature of the infrastructure, the entity is advancing in coordination with the authorities of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to coordinate joint actions that allow the situation to be addressed in a comprehensive manner.
