The Government ordered the temporary closure of the Bridge of the Americas after a tanker truck caught fire in the La Boca sector, beneath the structure, which led to the start of a technical review to ensure user safety.
From the early hours, personnel from the Ministry of Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Panama Canal began structural inspections to determine the condition of the concrete, the metal structure, and the road surface after the impact of the flames.
To alleviate traffic, the Transit and Land Transport Authority implemented a lane reversal operation on the Centenario Bridge, with the aim of facilitating vehicle travel to and from the province of West Panama. This operation will be maintained until the night and will resume at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
President José Raúl Mulino asked public institutions and the private sector to consider the situation of workers in the face of difficulties in commuting.
In the same vein, the Ministry of Labor recommended flexing work schedules for both those residing in West Panama and those traveling from the capital to that area.
Authorities indicated that the closure will remain in place while the necessary technical tests are completed, with the aim of ensuring safe conditions before reopening the vehicular passage.
