Following a visit by specialists to the Sogamoso – Aguazul corridor, which detected an increase in the size of the terrain pathologies, which generate instability in the area, as well as transverse cracks in the roadways of the Los Grillos viaduct (made up of the Los Grillos, Puente Nuevo and Chorro Blanco bridges), which represents changes in the infrastructure and imminent danger for communities and users, the definitive closure of the road that connects the departments of Boyacá and Casanare was decided.
“We know that this is an uncomfortable decision for those who travel through the corridor, but our duty is to preserve the lives of Colombians, which is why we made the decision to close this road, including pedestrians and motorcycles, given the instability of the terrain, which affects directly the structure of the bridge, especially between km 81 and km 90,” noted the general director of the National Highway Institute, Invías, Juan Carlos Montenegro Arjona.
He explained that the failure is not due to the structure of the bridge itself, but is the result of the general mass movement in the area, characterized by instability and aggravated by the heavy rainfall that is occurring in the country. This movement cannot be stopped, but what can be done is to take measures to preserve the lives of users.
Technical report
According to the technical report, after the cracks found in the deck and beams of the “Chorro Blanco” bridge, located at km 81 + 550, were noticed in recent days, worrying pathologies related to the increase in the size of cracks in the beams and the appearance of others transverse to the roads, which are reflected in the asphalt pavement near the closure of the voussoirs (sections that make up the roadway of the bridge).
Additionally, the lookout personnel warned about noises in the structure that, according to specialists, are generated by the breaking of the viaduct’s tension cables.
All these reasons force us to consider that, under these conditions, the structure is not safe and it is difficult to generate an intervention to contain the displacement generated by the mountain, which is why total closure is recommended, even for pedestrians and motorcycles.
Alternate routes
Montenegro Arjona reported that the Entity has alternative routes that guarantee mobility for those traveling between Boyacá and Casanare, corresponding to the following corridors:
Bogotá – Villavicencio – Yopal, for all types of vehicles.
Sogamoso – Belén – Socha – Sácama – La Cabuya – Aguazul, for vehicles weighing less than 25 tons.
For additional information on the state of the roads, in real time, it is recommended to consult the toll-free number #767 to call from any cellular operator; the WhatsApp channel (+57) 1 7426767, where the IVI assistant (Intelligent Roads Information) is available 24 hours a day; the road map and the Safe Traveler web portal, which can be accessed from the page www.invias.gov.co.
