On the first day of the extralargo weekend for the Workers’ Daythousands of Mendoza decided to leave the province towards Chile. From the morning, the images of long rows From vehicles in the direction of the neighboring country, they were replicated in social networks and local media, evidencing the high tourist flow that characterizes this type of dates.
Despite the mandatory closure of trade in Chile during Thursday’s holiday, On Wednesday, April 30, there was already an intense transit to cross the mountain rangeaccording to the Argentine coordination of the Christ Redeemer integrated system.
That day, 5,535 people went to Chile and 3,557 entered Argentina, while 32 bus departed from the country and 35 returned. The cargo transport also reflected a significant movement: 769 trucks entered the Argentine territory, while another 338 left for Chile.
This vehicular flow anticipated what happened at the beginning of the weekend Extralargo, where thousands of Argentines chose to cross the mountain range to make economic purchases, enjoy some getaway or make family visits.
The main congestion points were recorded in the Desaguadero arcborder with San Luis, and in the INTERNATIONAL STEP CRISTwhere important delays were observed from both the Argentine and Chilean side. In the latter, the situation worsened during the course of the morning, generating discomfort among the drivers that were heading to the neighboring country.
From 6 in the morning, the Los Libertadores border complexIn Chile, he began registering delays of approximately half an hour to deliver the income documentation. However, over the day and the increase in vehicular flow, the waiting time tripled. By noon, the authorities reported an increase in delays, with rows that reached the traditional sheds, as usually happens in extensive holidays or vacation seasons.
In contrast, waiting times to enter Mendoza in the Roque Carranza complex They kept low. According to data from international corridorthe average delay was around 10 minutesminor than usual, even on days of low circulation.
After 15, an accident on Route 7, at the height of Uspallataforced to momentarily interrupt traffic, when a truck overturned for reasons that are still unknown. The occupants, a man and a woman, were injured, but not seriously and were transferred to the department’s hospital.
Consequently, the circulation in the international corridor was restricted at kilometer 1.140 for at least two hours, which caused dozens of vehicles to be stranded waiting for the reopening of the road.
In the place of the accident, staff were present from the Emergency Coordinated Service (SEC) and of the Mendoza police To perform the corresponding expert opinions. Finally, after the 17, authorities of the Christ Redeemer system reported that Route 7 was completely enabled without inconvenience.
Despite the discomfort of drivers, no major incidents were recorded. The authorities asked travelers to take precautions, circulate with documentation in order and review the status of border crossings before embarking on the trip.
Vehicular accidents are increasingly common in the international corridor. In fact, a few months ago, a group of deputies of Mendoza raised an order to the national government to declare the emergency in road infrastructure in the National Route No. 7after an increase in the rate of fatal claims in High mountain.
On April 22, two motorcyclists died after hitting a truck on that same route. The incident, which left the victims trapped under the large vehicle, was recorded around 7 pm, at kilometer 1088, when Luis Pablo Borchio (51) And his companion traveled on a motorcycle Motomel 150ccin the west direction.
The motorcyclist lost control of the vehicle in a curve, due to a damage, and ended up invading the bench. The attempt to return to the route was fatal, since the motorcycle was under the semi -trailer of a truck that transported products from the Arcor company. The victims died on the spot.
A month ago, National Route 7 was the scene of a tragic accident, this time at the height of the Mendoza city of Las Heras. The incident was starring a truck and a truck, leaving a balance of two deceased people and a third that was trapped in the minor vehicle, with great bruises. The truck driver was arrested.
