The overpasses leading to Havana's Central Train Station in Old Havana are in a perilous state of decay, as highlighted in a video released by CiberCuba on Monday. The visible deterioration of the metal structure of the railway bridge is alarming, as it carries trains to and from La Coubre Terminal and the Central Train Station, which originally opened on November 30, 1912, and was reopened in July 2022 after extensive renovations involving significant financial investment and initial collaboration with Russian companies.
These overpasses, constructed in the early 20th century, are over a century old and have been designated as part of Havana's heritage since November 2, 2002, under Resolution No. 184. Decades of neglect and lack of maintenance have left them in near ruin, with the steel columns and entire structure eroded by salt exposure and the absence of proper paint and preservation treatments. Rust has overtaken this exceptional piece of engineering, regarded as one of the most important of its kind in Cuba, which continues to serve its original purpose.
The Vital Role of Havana's Railway Overpasses
The overpasses facilitate train routes linking Cuba's capital to various destinations, including Bejucal, Santiago de Cuba, Mariel, Holguín, Bayamo, Manzanillo, Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos, Pinar del Río, Playas del Este, and Guantánamo. The precarious state of the railway infrastructure poses significant risks to these operations.
Historical Significance and Current Threats
To support operations at the Central Train Station, an overpass was constructed to connect the station's rail yards and its eight platforms with the city's outbound tracks, overcoming elevation changes and marshy terrain. The Havana Terminal Railroad Company was responsible for this elevated passage, made from steel scaffolding, allowing trains to move over urban streets without disrupting road traffic, extending beyond the Castillo de Atarés. This structure, highlighted in the 2020 study ‘Railway, History, Space and Heritage in Cuba’ by Antonio Santamaría García, remains functional today, yet stands at risk of either vanishing or causing a catastrophe if it collapses.
According to the study, modern materials and rehabilitation techniques were employed during the recent renovation of Cuba's Central Train Station, aiming to enhance the facility's communication systems within available resources. Efforts were made to preserve the station's heritage essence, adhering to established guidelines from various organizations, authorities, and experts dedicated to safeguarding the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity through careful study and enhancement.