Due to safety concerns, traffic on the famed La Farola Viaduct will be limited to vehicles weighing up to 30 tons. This measure, along with technical assessments, aims to restore the functionality of this critical roadway, which suffered severe damage from Hurricane Oscar last October.
Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, the Minister of Transport, announced via Facebook that a technical assessment will soon be conducted using drones and sensors to evaluate potential damage to the viaduct. A diagnostic schedule and proposed solutions will follow.
He noted that several sections of the viaduct already have technical evaluations, and documentation from these areas will be shared with project companies working in the region for updates.
Alternative Routes and Reinforcement
In addition to vehicle weight restrictions, the Sabaneta-Sagua and Moa-Baracoa routes will be strengthened and expedited as alternative pathways. This requires securing materials and fuel to efficiently plan operations along these routes.
The Minister emphasized that experts from the Road Safety Department, the Provincial Highway Center of Guantánamo, and professionals from the Ministry of Construction are working diligently to restore the road's functionality and minimize vulnerabilities.
Challenges Following Hurricane Oscar
After Hurricane Oscar hit Cuba's eastern region, numerous roads in Guantánamo Province, including the La Farola Viaduct, sustained serious damage. The viaduct had already been plagued by problems such as rockslides prior to the storm.
The subsequent rains further complicated construction efforts on this vital roadway, which is crucial for linking the regions of Baracoa and Imías.